2015 Federal Judge Jack's Ruling On Texas Foster Care

Case 2:11-cv-00084 Document 368 Filed in TXSD on 12/17/15 Page 1 of 260
United States District Court

Southern District of Texas
ENTERED
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT December 17, 2015
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS David J. Bradley, Clerk
CORPUS CHRISTI DIVISION
M.D.; bnf STUKENBERG, et al.,

Plaintiffs,
VS. CIVIL ACTION NO. 2:11-CV-84

GREG ABBOTT, et al.,

Defendants.
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND VERDICT OF THE COURT
Named Plaintiffs brought this class action under 42 U.S.C. 1983 against officials of the
State of Texas. Plaintiffs claim that Texas violates their Fourteenth Amendment substantive due
process rights, including the right to be reasonably safe from harm while in government custody
and the right to receive the most appropriate care, treatment, and services by how the State and
its officials manage the Department of Family and Protective Services and the departments under
its control. The Court has subject matter jurisdiction over this case under 28 U.S.C. 1331.
Because the issues to be decided are fact intensive, the Courts opinion is lengthy.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. BACKGROUND .................................................................................................................... 4
A. Procedural History ........................................................................................................ 4
II. FINDINGS OF FACT AND LAW ......................................................................................... 5
A. Overview of Texas Foster Care .................................................................................... 5
B. Plaintiffs Claims ........................................................................................................ 11
C. Constitutional Rights .................................................................................................. 14
D. Evidence Summary ..................................................................................................... 22
1. Reports ........................................................................................................................ 23
1
2. National Standards ...................................................................................................... 25
3. Child and Family Service Reviews ............................................................................. 27
4. Witnesses .................................................................................................................... 28
a. Fact Witnesses ............................................................................................................ 28
b. Expert Witnesses ......................................................................................................... 39
5. Named Plaintiffs ......................................................................................................... 56
a. M.D. ............................................................................................................................ 56
b. D.I. .............................................................................................................................. 73
c. S.A. ............................................................................................................................. 79
d. A.M. ............................................................................................................................ 90
e. J.S. ............................................................................................................................... 97
f. H.V., J.V, and P.O. ................................................................................................... 105
g. Z.H. ........................................................................................................................... 128
h. K.E. ........................................................................................................................... 132
i. L.H. and C.H. ............................................................................................................ 141
J. J.R., M.R., and S.R. ................................................................................................... 150
k. S.S. ............................................................................................................................ 152
L. A.R. ........................................................................................................................... 154
III. PRELIMINARY ISSUES ................................................................................................... 155
IV. DISCUSSION ..................................................................................................................... 160
A. General Class ............................................................................................................ 160
1. DFPS is Deliberately Indifferent Toward Caseload Levels ...................................... 186
2. DFPS Substantially Departs from Professional Judgment

Toward CVS Caseworkers ........................................................................................ 199
B. Licensed Foster Care Subclass.................................................................................. 199
2
1. Insufficient Oversight ............................................................................................... 200
a. DFPS is Deliberately Indifferent Toward RCCL Operations ................................... 212
b. DFPS Substantially Departs from Professional Judgment

Toward RCCL Operations ........................................................................................ 215
2. The State Maintains an Inadequate Placement Array ............................................... 217
a. DFPS is Deliberately Indifferent Toward its Placement Array ................................ 227
b. DFPS Substantially Departs from Professional Judgment

Toward its Placement Array ..................................................................................... 233
C. Foster Group Home Subclass.................................................................................... 234
1. DFPS is Deliberately Indifferent Toward Foster Group Homes .............................. 239
2. DFPS Substantially Departs from Professional Judgment

Toward Foster Group Homes.................................................................................... 240
V. REMEDY ............................................................................................................................ 242
VI. CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................... 254
VII. GLOSSARY ....................................................................................................................... 256
3
I. BACKGROUND
A. Procedural History
Plaintiffs are minor children in the Permanent Management Conservatorship (PMC) of
the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS).1 Plaintiffs filed suit through
their next friends on March 29, 2011, seeking injunctive relief against Rick Perry, Governor of
Texas; Thomas Suehs, Executive Commissioner of the Texas Health and Human Services
Commission;2 and Anne Heiligenstein, Commissioner of DFPS (collectively Defendants), in
their official capacities.3 (D.E. 1). Shortly thereafter, Plaintiffs filed a Motion for Class
Certification. The Court granted their motion, holding that the requirements of Fed. R. Civ. P.
23 had been met. (D.E. 49).
Defendants filed an interlocutory appeal of the class certification to the Fifth Circuit
Court of Appeals pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 23(f). (D.E. 63). While the appeal was pending,
the Supreme Court decided Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. v. Dukes, 131 S. Ct. 2541 (2011). In light of
Wal-Mart, the Fifth Circuit vacated the class certification order and remanded the case. M.D. ex
rel. Stukenberg v. Perry (M.D. I), 675 F.3d 832 (5th Cir. 2012). Plaintiffs filed a second Motion
for Class Certification in October 2012. (D.E. 160). After a three-day hearing in January 2013,
the Court found that the requirements of Fed. R. Civ. P. 23(a), as explained in Wal-Mart, were
1
There is an acronym glossary at the end of the Opinion.
2
The Health and Human Services Commission oversees and administers the agencies in Texass Health and Human
Services system, which includes DFPS. See Tex. Govt Code Ann. 531.0055.
3
Greg Abbot has since replaced Perry as Governor of Texas, Kyle Janek has since replaced Suehs as Executive
Commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission, and John J. Specia, Jr. has replaced Heiligenstein as
Commissioner of DFPS.
4
satisfied. The Court certified a General Class and three subclasses on August 27, 2013. M.D. v.
Perry (M.D. II), 294 F.R.D. 7 (S.D. Tex. 2013). The certified classes are defined as follows:
a. General Class: all children now, or in the future, in the Permanent Managing
Conservatorship of the State of Texas;
b. Licensed Foster Care Subclass: all members of the General Class who are now
or will be in a licensed or verified foster care placement, excluding verified
kinship placements;
c. Foster Group Home Subclass: all members of the General Class who are now
or will be in a foster group home; and
d. Basic Care General Residential Operation Subclass: all members of the

General Class who are now or will be in a general residential operation and
who are or will be receiving solely non-emergency, Basic childcare services.
Id. at 67. The Court denied certification of a fourth subclass for children in unverified kinship
placements because it lacked adequate representation. Id. at 63. Defendants filed an untimely
Petition for Permission to Appeal the Class Certification Order, which the Fifth Circuit dismissed
on November 19, 2013. M.D. ex rel. Stukenberg v. Perry, 547 F. Appx 543 (5th Cir. 2013).
II. FINDINGS OF FACT AND LAW
Pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 52(a), the Court makes the following findings of fact and
conclusions of law. Any finding of fact that also constitutes a conclusion of law is adopted as a
conclusion of law. Any conclusion of law that also constitutes a finding of fact is adopted as a
finding of fact. All of the Courts findings of fact and conclusions of law are based upon a
preponderance of the evidence.
A. Overview of Texas Foster Care
The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services is the agency responsible for
protecting the States children, elderly, and disabled. Two DFPS divisions are pertinent to this
case: Child Protective Services (CPS) and Child Care Licensing (CCL). Both divisions
5
work directly with families, children, and childcare providers to protect all of Texass children,
whether or not they are in foster care. (DX 31 at 6-7). CCL is made up of two divisions: the
Residential Child Care Licensing (RCCL) division focuses on protecting children living in
licensed foster care placements; the Performance Management Unit (PMU) provides quality
assurance for all of DFPS. Id. at 163, 171. John J. Specia, Jr. (Specia) is the Commissioner
and overall chief executive officer of DFPS. Id. at 4. He is DFPSs seventh Commissioner since
2004. An Assistant Commissioner heads each division: Lisa Black (Black) is Assistant
Commissioner for CPS; Paul Morris (Morris) is Assistant Commissioner for CCL.4 Specia,
Black, and Morris each acquired their position after this case began.
When CPS determines that it is not safe for a child to live with her legal guardian, CPS
petitions a court to remove the child and to obtain Temporary Managing Conservatorship
(TMC). (DX 31 at 80). If TMC is granted, DFPS (through CPS) takes custody of the child,
placing her in a temporary living arrangement with a certified caregiver or a family member.
TMC lasts up to one year unless a court extends it another six months. Id. at 80. CPSs goal for
each child is permanency, which is achieved when a child returns home after it is safe, moves
in with a relative long-term, is adopted by a new family, or ages out of foster care at age 18.5 Id.
at 73. Permanency is the most important wellbeing issue for foster children because it
removes them from foster care and into stable environments where they better develop into
successful adults. (D.E. 302 at 27, 38). As Commissioner Specia testified, I want good foster
care, but the answer is permanency. (D.E. 331 at 48).
4
There is a chart of DFPSs officer hierarchy at the end of the Opinion. (See Attachment 1; PX 811).
5
Extended foster care is available for youths over the age of 18 in limited circumstances. (DX 24 at 13).
6
If the child has not achieved permanency at the end of TMC, the child enters the States
Permanent Managing Conservatorship. (DX 31 at 80). There are approximately 17,000 children
in TMC and 12,000 children in PMC at any given time. (Id. at 94; DX 119 at 72; DX 123). The
change from TMC to PMC is significant. The act of designating children a permanent part of
a foster care system is unique to Texas. (D.E. 299 at 60). Unlike TMC, PMC is considered a
final order similar to reunification, adoption, or aging out. (DX 31 at 80).
In contrast with TMC children, PMC children do not have the same court deadlines or
internal DFPS deadlines that their CVS caseworkers need to meet. (See D.E. 305 at 71). For
example, Texas requires permanency review hearings once every four months for TMC children,
but only once every six months for PMC children. Tex. Fam. Code Ann. 263.305, 263.501.
Likewise, Texas requires at least two permanency planning meetings and a status hearing for
TMC children, but there is no such requirement for PMC children. See id. at 263.001 et seq.
Caseworkers also must review TMC childrens service plans four times in the first year, while
PMC childrens service plans are only reviewed twice a year. (D.E. 311 at 12-13). CPS
Regional Director Judy Bowman (Bowman) testified that a childs service plan is critically
important and functions as a road map for childrens path to permanency. Id. at 12. Also unlike
TMC children, many PMC children do not have an attorney ad litem to set hearings and file
pleadings with a court, or notify a court when the child needs assistance. (D.E. 299 at 60; D.E.
323 at 68). Most PMC children also do not have a Court Appointed Special Advocate
(CASA), who are appointed by judges to watch over and advocate for foster children, even
though a childs CASA usually is the only person who truly knows the child and knows how the
7
child is really doing. (PX 1988 at 17).6 Thus, the State effectively deprives many PMC
children of an individual advocate. Anna Ricker (Ricker), the attorney ad litem and next
friend of J.S., H.V., and P.O., testified that her clients in PMC get ignored more. (D.E. 326 at
226). Karen Langsley (Langsley), another attorney ad litem who represents TMC and PMC
children, testified that there is significantly less attention paid by caseworkers to children once
they enter PMC. (D.E. 323 at 67-68). As seen in the record, PMC children tend to receive fewer
visits from primary caseworkers, visits that are less meaningful and more rushed, and overall
more cursory casework. As one report explained, Though the States responsibility for the
childs life and well-being does not changeand arguably increasesthe attention paid to the
childs cases diminishes drastically. There is often a sense that the clock stops ticking when
the child enters Permanent Managing Conservatorship. Id. at 15. Although all of the
permanency options are available to PMC children, the State often just maintain[s] them in
foster care until they age[] out. (D.E. 323 at 89-92).
DFPS has four service levels for children in its care, depending on a childs physical and
psychological needs: Basic, Moderate, Specialized, and Intense. (D.E. 328 at 91). The higher
6
CASA is a national volunteer organization with state and local member programs. CASA volunteers are screened
and highly trained and then appointed by judges to represent and advocate for a childs best interests in the child
protection system. CASA volunteers are each assigned to help one child or set of siblings at a time, so they can
focus on giving that child or sibling group the individualized advocacy and attention they need. Texas CASA,
http://texascasa.org/ (last visited December 11, 2015). CASA volunteers make sure [foster children] dont get lost
in the overburdened legal and social service system or languish in inappropriate group or foster homes. Volunteers
stay with each case until it is closed and the child is placed in a safe, permanent home. National CASA,
www.casaforchildren.org/site/c.mtJSJ7MPIsE/b.5301303/k.6FB1/About_Us__CASA_for_Children.htm (last visited
December 11, 2015).
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the service level, the more the State pays the foster care facility. (D.E. 322 at 90-92).
Placements must be licensed to provide for children at specific service levels. Therefore, a
childs service level dictates which placements are available to her. See id.
PMC children are placed in a variety of residential settings. Approximately 90% of these
placements are managed by private child-placing agencies (CPAs) that contract with the State.
(DX 119 at 72). DFPS directly manages the remaining 10%. In both cases, RCCL is ultimately
responsible for inspecting, investigating, and licensing. (DX 31 at 163-64).
Foster family homes are traditional foster homes that contain one to six children. (DX
109 at 1273). The State verifies these facilities and provides training and financial support to the
caregivers. The verification process involves screening and inspecting the home to ensure it
meets the requirements for the type of care it will provide. Foster group homesfacilities
unique to Texascontain 7 to 12 children but are otherwise almost identical to foster family
homes. (See id.; DX 119 at 22). They are regulated and receive financial support, but, unlike
other larger facilities, are not required to have awake-night supervision. Foster family and foster
group homes can be therapeutic, meaning that the caregivers receive additional training to look
after children with higher levels of care. Facilities that contain 13 or more children are called
general residential operations (GROs). (DX 109 at 1273). They are subject to extensive
regulations and receive financial support. GROs appear to have no capacity limit. One GRO in
North Texas is authorized to house 437 children.7 Residential treatment centers (RTCs) are a
type of GRO that provide therapeutic treatment for children with serious emotional disturbances
7
See Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, Cal Farleys Boys Ranch,
https://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Child_Care/Search_Texas_Child_Care/ppFacilityDetails.asp?ptype=RC&fid=94127
(last visited November 3, 2015).
9
or mental health issues. (PX 1864 at 101; see also DX 109 at 1273). Most of Texass RTCs are
in 3 of the States 11 DFPS Regions, with a disproportionate number around Houston, and none
south of San Antonio. (D.E. 327 at 203).8 GROs and RTCs are also called congregate care
facilities. Foster family homes are the least restrictive, most family-like placement. Foster
group homes, GROs, and RTCs are progressively more restrictive.
Texas also uses kinship placements,9 in which a child is placed with a relative or
someone with a longstanding and significant relationship with the child or the childs family.
Kinship placements, whether verified or unverified, must be approved by DFPS and have a home
assessment. (DX 109 at 430, 1173). If verified, they undergo the same licensing requirements as
a foster family home, the caregivers have the same training requirements as foster parents, and
the homes receive the same financial assistance as foster homes. If unverified, they are eligible
for limited monetary assistance and the caregivers are not required to complete the training
provided for foster parents.
Texass foster care system has a checkered history. In 2009, the Texas Legislature and
Governor Perry formed the Texas Adoption Review Committee to take a hard look at the Texas
foster care system. (PX 1964 at 2). The Committee conducted a ten-month review, which
included testimony from DFPS employees, foster care advocates, policy analysts, foster and
adoptive parents, CPAs, and experts from ten areas of DFPS. Id. at 8. The Committee reviewed
articles, reports, and publications, including one by the Child Welfare League of America
(CWLA), one by Specia (not yet DFPS Commissioner), and a report by Texas Appleseed that
had previously been submitted to the Texas Supreme Court Commission for Children, Youth,
8
There is a map of DFPSs Regions at the end of the Opinion. (See Attachment 2; PX 806)
9
Although the Court did not certify the Unverified Kinship Subclass, these children are still in the General Class.
10
and Families. Id. at 25-28. After drafting its recommendations, the 2009 Committee unearthed a
report from 1996, produced by a similarly charged committee that was formed by Governor
George W. Bush. Id. at 2, 7. The 2009 Committee found that 11 of its 14 general
recommendations were made in 1996, leading it to conclude that many of the same problems
identified in 1996 had not been fixed. Id. at 2, 7-12. The Committee released its final report in
December 2010. At the outset the report notes that, despite the good intentions and hard work of
the people involved in Texass child welfare system, there is increasing evidence to show that
our foster care system is sometimes doing more harm to our children than good. Id. at 2.
B. Plaintiffs Claims
Plaintiffs claims have changed substantially over the course of this litigation. In their
Original Complaint, Plaintiffs alleged a variety of problems with Texass management of foster
care and claimed that the States mismanagement violated the rights of children in the States
PMC. (See D.E. 1). The Fifth Circuit vacated the first Class Certification Order, doubting
whether Plaintiffs could even advance a due process claim based on a bare finding that Texas
has organized or managed DFPS improperly. M.D. I, 675 F.3d at 841 n.3. In response,
Plaintiffs narrowed and re-characterized their allegations, and proposed four subclasses. The
Court certified one General Class and three subclasses. M.D. II, 294 F.R.D. 7; supra Section
I.A. For each certified class, Plaintiffs allege that DFPSs policies and practices result in
structural deficiencies that place the class members at an unacceptable risk of harm in
violation of the Fourteenth Amendment. (D.E. 215 at 2, 17, 18, 19). The Court understands
Plaintiffs argument as saying that each policy and practice does not, on its own, have to result in
a constitutional violation. Although some policies and practices may reach this threshold,
Plaintiffs also argue that the States combined policies and practices for each certified class
11
create structural deficiencies, which violate class members Fourteenth Amendment right to be
free from an unreasonable risk of harm while in State custody. See Alberti v. Klevenhagen, 790
F.2d 1220, 1224 (5th Cir. 1986) (In determining the constitutional question, we need not
separately weigh each of the challenged institutional practices and conditions, for we instead
look to the totality of conditions.) (citation omitted). Plaintiffs specific claims break down as
follows:
On behalf of the General Class:
(1) DFPS does not employ enough primary conservatorship caseworkers, causing those
workers to have excessive caseloads, which prevents them from properly fulfilling
their required duties, protecting the children in the States custody.
(2) Caseworkers excessive caseloads increase caseworker turnover, further worsening
caseloads and initiating a vicious cycle.
(3) By not having the time and resources to adequately monitor the children assigned to
them, caseworkers cannot ensure that Plaintiffs are free from an unreasonable risk of
harm while in the States care.
(4) These practices and policies, separately and combined, cause an unreasonable risk of
harm to all General Class members.
(5) The States practices and policies substantially depart from professional judgment.
(6) The State is aware of these risks, yet refuses to assess or address them.
On behalf of the Licensed Foster Care Subclass:
(1) The State does not exercise sufficient oversight of the facilities in which foster
children are placed by failing to properly investigate and inspect those facilities and
hold them accountable for licensing violations.
12
(2) Defendants do not properly track incidents of child-on-child abuse.
(3) The State maintains an insufficient number, geographic distribution, and array of
placements, such that foster children cannot be placed in homes or facilities
appropriate for their needs, in their home communities.
harm to all Licensed Foster Care Subclass members.
On behalf of the Foster Group Home Subclass:
(1) The States foster group homes are deficient:
(a) Group home caregivers are not properly trained or qualified;
(b) Group homes lack sufficient professional staff;
(c) Group homes do not require 24-hour awake-night supervision like other
congregate care facilities; and
(d) The State does not restrict the placement of unrelated children of different
genders, ages, and service levels in the same group home.
harm to all Foster Group Home Subclass members.
On behalf of the Basic Care GRO Subclass:
(1) The State places children who need only Basic-level childcare services in GROs (and
sometimes RTCs) due to a lack of appropriate placements.
13
(2) Placing Basic-level children in GROs causes neglect, maltreatment, and
institutionalizes otherwise healthy children.
(3) This practice causes an unreasonable risk of harm to all Basic Care GRO Subclass
members.
(4) The States practice substantially departs from professional judgment.
(5) The State is aware of this risk, yet refuses to assess or address it.
C. Constitutional Rights
The State generally does not have an obligation to protect citizens from private harm.
DeShaney v. Winnebago Dept of Soc. Servs., 489 U.S. 189, 195-96 (1989). However, in
certain limited circumstances the Constitution imposes upon the State affirmative duties of care
and protection. Id. at 198-200. These duties arise when the State takes a person into custody,
thereby limiting that persons freedom to act on her own behalf. Id. at 200. Custody, in other
words, creates a special relationship between the State and that person, which triggers a
constitutional duty to provide basic needs. Id.
The States affirmative duty of care and protection for people in custody was first
identified for prisoners. Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97 (1976), held that the Eighth
Amendments prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment obliged the State to provide medical
care for prisoners. By depriving inmates of the ability to care for their own medical needs, the
State assumed that affirmative duty. Id. at 103-04. These rights were extended into the
Fourteenth Amendment in the context of patients involuntarily committed to state mental
institutions. In Youngberg v. Romeo, 457 U.S. 307 (1982), the Supreme Court reasoned, If it is
cruel and unusual punishment to hold convicted criminals in unsafe conditions, it must be
unconstitutional to confine the involuntarily committedwho may not be punished at allin
14
unsafe conditions. Id. at 315-16. The Supreme Court held that patients in these settings
possessed the right to food, shelter, clothing, medical care, and safe living conditions, which
the State must provide. Id. Likewise, pretrial detainees who are injured while in police custody
have the constitutional right to medical care. City of Revere v. Mass. Gen. Hosp., 463 U.S. 239,
244 (1983). Although the Eighth Amendment does not apply to pretrial detainees because they
have not been convicted of a crime, the Fourteenth Amendment provides the affirmative duty of
care. See Youngberg, 457 U.S. at 315-16. These cases stand for the straightforward proposition
that when the State restrains an individuals freedom to act on his own behalfthrough
incarceration, institutionalization, or other similar restraint of personal liberty, the State assumes
an affirmative duty to provide basic needs. DeShaney, 489 U.S. at 200.
State custody of a child creates a special relationship that triggers substantive due
process protections. The Fifth Circuit first recognized this special relationship, and the States
corresponding duty to provide constitutionally adequate care, in Griffith v. Johnston, 899 F.2d
1427, 1439 (5th Cir. 1990). More recently and more explicitly, the Fifth Circuit held that, under
the Fourteenth Amendment, the State owes its foster children personal security and reasonably
safe living conditions. Hernandez v. Tex. Dept of Protective & Regulatory Servs., 380 F.3d
872, 880 (5th Cir. 2004); see also Doe ex rel. Magee v. Covington Cnty. Sch. Dist. ex rel. Keys,
675 F.3d 849, 859 (5th Cir. 2012) (recognizing foster care as one of the strictly enumerated
situations where the State assumes a duty of care sufficient to create a special relationship). Put
another way, foster children have the right to be free from an unreasonable risk of harm.
The Fifth Circuit is not alone. With near unanimity, the other circuits have found that
states owe a duty of care to their foster children. See e.g., Tamas v. Dept of Social & Health
Servs., 630 F.3d 833, 846-47 (9th Cir. 2010); James ex rel. James v. Friend, 458 F.3d 726, 730
15
(8th Cir. 2006); Nicini v. Morra, 212 F.3d 798, 808 (3d Cir. 2000); Lintz v. Skipski, 25 F.3d 304,
305 (6th Cir. 1994); Yvonne L. ex rel. Lewis v. N.M Dept of Human Servs., 959 F.2d 883, 892
(10th Cir. 1992); K.H. ex rel. Murphy v. Morgan, 914 F.2d 846, 848-49 (7th Cir. 1990); Taylor
ex rel. Walker v. Ledbetter, 818 F.2d 791, 795 (11th Cir. 1987); Doe v. N.Y. Dept of Soc. Servs.,
649 F.2d 134, 144-45 (2d Cir. 1981); Connor B. ex rel. Vigurs v. Patrick (Connor B. I), 771 F.
Supp. 2d 142, 160 (D. Mass. 2011) (Courts have found, with apparent unanimity, that [a
special] relationship exists in the foster-care context.); see also DeShaney, 489 U.S. at 201 n.9.
Most circuits consider this right clearly established for qualified immunity purposes. See
Tamas, 630 F.3d at 846-47 (surveying the circuit courts and finding that, by 1996, foster children
had a clearly established liberty interest in safe foster care placements).
A foster childs right to be free from an unreasonable risk of harm encompasses a right
to protection from psychological as well as physical abuse. R.G. v. Koller, 415 F. Supp. 2d
1129, 1156 (D. Haw. 2006); see also LaShawn A. by Moore v. Kelly, 762 F. Supp. 990, 993
(D.D.C. 1991). Moreover, foster children have a substantive due process right to be free from
unreasonable and unnecessary intrusions into their emotional well-being. Marisol A. by Forbes
v. Giuliani, 929 F. Supp. 662, 675 (S.D.N.Y. 1996); accord K.H. ex rel. Murphy, 914 F.2d at 848
(The extension to the case in which the plaintiffs mental health is seriously impaired by
deliberate and unjustified state action is straightforward.). Harm, both psychological and
physical, can be inflicted in a variety of ways, including neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse,
and psychological maltreatment. [T]he Constitution requires the responsible state officials to
take steps to prevent children in state institutions from deteriorating physically or
psychologically. K.H. ex rel. Murphy, 914 F.2d at 851 (citing Youngberg, 457 U.S. 307).
16
Foster children need not wait until actual harm occurs before obtaining relief. This has
been made most explicit in the prison context, where the right is characterized as the right not to
be subjected to the unreasonable threat of injury. Hoptowit v. Spellman, 753 F.2d 779, 784 (9th
Cir. 1985). Unreasonable threats of injury to prisoners, such as poor fire safety conditions, are
themselves violations of a prisoners constitutional rights. Id. at 784; see also Battle v.
Anderson, 564 F.2d 388, 395 (10th Cir. 1977). As such, prisoners can obtain relief from
unreasonable conditions even when no fire has occurred. The risk of harm is the legal injury. In
the foster care context, a structural deficiency that puts foster children at an unreasonable risk of
harm is the legal injury. See Hernandez, 380 F.3d at 881 (explaining that the risk of severe
physical abuse to a foster childs bodily integrity is the legal injury).
Defendants acknowledge foster childrens constitutional right to personal security and
reasonably safe living conditions. Defendants argue, however, that foster children do not possess
an unlimited right to be free from an unreasonable risk of harm, (D.E. 277 at 29; D.E. 359 at
47), and that the Court should resist the temptation to augment the substantive reach of the
Fourteenth Amendment. (D.E. 163 at 22 (quoting Griffith, 899 F.2d at 1435)). The Court
disagrees. There is no difference between harm in general and harm to personal security and
reasonably safe living conditions. All harms affect either a foster childs person or environment,
and the right to be free from an unreasonable risk of these harms is unlimited. The Court holds
that foster children have a Fourteenth Amendment substantive due process right to be free from
an unreasonable risk of harm caused by the State.
Plaintiffs also claim that foster children have a Fourteenth Amendment right to the most
appropriate care, treatment, and services. (D.E. 215 at 19). Plaintiffs have aimed too high, at
least by substantive due process standards. Foster children have the right to minimally
17
adequate care, treatment, and services such that it prevents an unreasonable risk of harm.
Youngberg, 457 U.S. at 321; Hernandez, 380 F.3d at 880. They do not have a constitutional
right to the most appropriate care, treatment, and services.
To succeed on their substantive due process claim, Plaintiffs must show that: (1) the State
has acted in a way that breached the duty of care it owes to foster children in its custody, namely
the duty to keep them free from an unreasonable risk of harm; and (2) the State action that did so
rises to the requisite level of culpability. In making the latter determination in challenges to
executive action, the State will be liable if its alleged action shocks the conscience. Cnty. of
Sacramento v. Lewis, 523 U.S. 833, 846 (1998); Rochin v. California, 342 U.S. 165, 172 (1952);
Hernandez, 380 F.3d at 880. Determining the level of culpability that shocks the conscience in
the foster care context, however, has proven elusive. Courts have articulated culpability
standards to further define the test, two of whichdeliberate indifference and substantial
departure from professional judgmentthe parties dispute. (D.E. 195 at 48-49).
In Estelle, the Supreme Court held that deliberate indifference to a prisoners serious
medical needs states a cause of action under the Eighth Amendment. 429 U.S. at 106.
Deliberate indifference is determined by a subjective standard of recklessness: the official must
be both aware of facts from which the inference could be drawn that a substantial risk of serious
harm exists, and he must also draw the inference. Smith v. Brenoettsy, 158 F.3d 908, 912 (5th
Cir. 1998) (quoting Farmer v. Brennan, 511 U.S. 825, 837 (1994)). The State must have
consciously disregarded a known and excessive risk to the victims health and safety. Farmer,
511 U.S. at 837.
Six years later, the Supreme Court refused to apply the deliberate indifference standard
when considering the rights of involuntarily committed patients at mental facilities. Youngberg,
18
457 U.S. at 321-22. Under the Fourteenth Amendment, as opposed to the Eighth Amendment at
issue in Estelle, the rights of persons involuntarily committed to mental facilities are violated if
the State substantially departs from professional judgment. Id. at 323. According to the
professional judgment standard, a decision if made by a professional, is presumptively valid;
liability may be imposed only when the decision by the professional is such a substantial
departure from accepted professional judgment, practice, or standards as to demonstrate that the
person responsible actually did not base the decision on such a judgment. Id. The main
difference between the two standards is that the professional judgment standard does not require
the State to know that the person in its custody will be harmed. Youngberg justified the less
demanding standard by stating, Persons who have been involuntarily committed are entitled to
more considerate treatment and conditions of confinement than criminals whose conditions of
confinement are designed to punish. Id. at 321-22 (comparing to Estelle, 429 U.S. at 104).
The Supreme Court discussed, but did not decide, the contours of foster childrens
substantive due process rights in DeShaney. The DeShaney Court explained that it is the
deprivation of a persons liberty, not what motivates the deprivation, that triggers the
Constitutions protection. 489 U.S. at 200. This seems to signal a uniform liability standard for
any person in state custody, but DeShaney never reached this question. Because the child in
DeShaney was harmed in the custody of private actors, the Court found there was no special
relationship between the child and the State, and therefore did not decide between the deliberate
indifference and professional judgment standard.
The Supreme Courts most recent comment in this area comes from County of
Sacramento v. Lewis. 523 U.S. 833. Lewis made clear that both the deliberate indifference and
professional judgment standards remain good law, and are simply more precise articulations of
19
the shocks the conscience standard. Id. at 850. According to Lewis, Rules of due process are
not . . . subject to mechanical application in unfamiliar territory. Thus, Deliberate indifference
that shocks in one environment may not be so patently egregious in another. Id. Youngberg
can be categorized on much the same terms. Id. at 852 n.12.
In the Fifth Circuit, a foster care plaintiff must prove deliberate indifference to have a
substantive due process cause of action. The Fifth Circuit has emphasized that the deliberate
indifference test is a significantly high burden for plaintiffs to overcome. Hernandez, 380 F.3d
at 882 (citing Doe v. Dallas Indep. Sch. Dist., 153 F.3d 211, 218 (5th Cir. 1998)). The test
demands a degree of culpability beyond mere negligence or even gross negligence; it must
amount to an intentional choice, not merely an unintentional oversight. Hall v. Smith, 497 Fed.
Appx. 366, 377 (5th Cir. 2012). Liability based on deliberate indifference is inappropriate if an
official can demonstrate that [she] did not know of the underlying facts indicating a sufficiently
substantial danger and that [she was] therefore unaware of a danger, or that [she] knew the
underlying facts but believed (albeit unsoundly) that the risk to which the facts gave rise was
insubstantial or nonexistent. Farmer, 511 U.S. at 844. Moreover, an official who is aware of a
substantial risk of serious harm is not deliberately indifferent if she responded reasonably to the
risk, even if the harm ultimately was not averted. Id.
Yet the high burden is not insurmountable. To prove deliberate indifference, it is
enough that the state official acted or failed to act despite his knowledge of a substantial risk of
serious harm. Hernandez, 380 F.3d at 881 (citing Farmer, 511 U.S. at 842). [A]n obvious
showing that the state . . . exhibited a conscious disregard for known severe physical abuses in a
state-licensed foster home by itself sufficiently demonstrates deliberate indifference to a childs
right to personal security. Hernandez, 380 F.3d at 881. Actual knowledge of a substantial risk
20
of harm can be inferred if the risk of harm is obvious. Id. (citing Hope v. Pelzer, 536 U.S. 730,
738 (2002)).
Most circuits apply the deliberate indifference standard to foster care cases. See, e.g.,
Tamas, 630 F.3d at 844 (9th Cir. 2010); James, 458 F.3d at 730 (8th Cir. 2006); J.H. ex. rel
Higgin v. Johnson, 346 F.3d 788, 792 (7th Cir. 2003); Nicini, 212 F.3d at 808 (3d Cir. 2000);
Lintz, 25 F.3d at 305 (6th Cir. 1994); Taylor v. Ledbetter, 818 F.2d at 795 (11th Cir. 1987); Doe,
649 F.2d at 144-45 (2d Cir. 1981). In this case, Defendants argue that deliberate indifference
applies.
Plaintiffs, however, point out that some circuits, relying on Youngberg, use the
professional judgment standard in foster care cases. After all, foster children bear a closer
resemblance to the patient in Youngberg than the prisoner in Estelle: their rights derive from the
Fourteenth Amendment rather than the Eighth, and they are not in the States custody to be
punished. The Tenth Circuit, for example, recently used the professional judgment standard in a
foster care case. Schwartz v. Booker, 702 F.3d 573, 580 (10th Cir. 2012); see also Yvonne L.,
959 F.2d at 893-94. Although the First Circuit has not decided the issue, two of its district courts
recently used the professional judgment standard. See Cassie M. ex. rel. Irons v. Chafee, 16 F.
Supp. 3d 33, 43-44 (D.R.I. 2014), vacated on other grounds sub nom. Danny B. ex rel. Elliott v.
Raimondo, 784 F.3d 825 (1st Cir. 2015); Connor B. I, 771 F. Supp. 2d at 163.
Plaintiffs also note that courts have decided which standard to apply based on whether the
remedy requested is monetary damages or injunctive relief. When injunctive relief is sought, as
it is here, some courts use the professional judgment standard. See, e.g., LaShawn A., 762 F.
Supp. at 996 n.29 (D.D.C. 1991); Cassie M., 16 F. Supp. 3d at 47 (D.R.I. 2014). Deliberate
indifference applies for monetary damages, the reasoning goes, because monetary damages may
21
have a chilling effect on state policymakers. LaShawn A., 762 F. Supp. at 996 n.29. Courts are
less concerned with a chilling effect when Plaintiffs seek only injunctive relief, and therefore
apply the less stringent professional judgment standard. Id.
All that said, when deciding whether state action shocks the conscience in the foster care
context, cases often come out the same regardless of which standard is applied. See, e.g., Yvonne
L., 959 F.2d at 894 (As applied to a foster care setting we doubt there is much difference in the
two standards.); Connor B. I, 771 F. Supp. 2d at 162 n.4 (It is far from obvious, however, that
the professional judgment standard creates an appreciably lower hurdle for plaintiffs in this
foster care case . . . in this context the decision seems to matter little.); LaShawn A., 762 F.
Supp. at 996 n.30 (The Court notes that although it has applied the professional judgment
standard to this case, the result would have been the same had it used the deliberate indifference
standard.).
Again, the main difference between the standards is that the professional judgment
standard does not require the State to have actual knowledge that foster children will be harmed.
This difference, however, is dulled by Hernandezs statement that actual knowledge can be
inferred when the risk of harm is obvious. 380 F.3d at 881 (citing Hope, 536 U.S. at 738).
Yet, in light of the uncertainty, the Court analyzed each claim under both standards. The Court
holds that, judged by either standard, Texass conduct shocks the conscience.
D. Evidence Summary
The Court carefully reviewed the Named Plaintiffs case files, the testimony of 28 fact
witnesses and 12 expert witnesses (as well as their expert reports, with a few exceptions), more
than 400 exhibits (totaling over 390,000 pages), the parties briefs, and the relevant caselaw. For
22
clarity, the Court outlined the more frequently cited reports and national standards, introduced
the witnesses, and summarized the Named Plaintiffs narratives.
1. Reports
Casey Family Programs. Casey Family Programs is the nations largest operating
foundation focused on safely reducing the need for foster care. Its mission is to provide and
improveand ultimately prevent the need forfoster care.10 DFPS has contracted with Casey
Family Programs on multiple occasions to provide internal reviews and assessments, as well as
staff training and professional development. (See, e.g., DX 61).
Texas Adoption Review Committee. The Texas Adoption Review Committee was created
by the Texas Legislature and Governor Perry in 2009 to take a hard look at the Texas foster care
system and to uncover barriers to adoption that exist for Texas most vulnerable children. (PX
1964 at 2). After a ten-month exhaustive review, the Committee released a final report in
December 2010 providing recommendations for how DFPS can improve. Prior to releasing its
report, the Committee found a report from 1996, produced by a similarly charged committee that
was formed by Governor Bush. The 2009 Committee found that 11 of its 14 general
recommendations were made in 1996, leading it to conclude that many of the same problems
identified in 1996 had not been fixed. (Id. at 2, 7-12; see also supra pp. 10-11).
Texas Appleseed. Texas Appleseed is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to
promote justice for all Texans by using the volunteer skills of lawyers and other professionals to
find practical solutions to broad-based problems facing the most vulnerableincluding the
States foster children. (PX 1988 at 4). The Court reviewed Texas Appleseeds 2007 and 2010
reports on Texas foster care. (PX 1966; PX 1988). The 2010 report was commissioned by the
10
Casey Family Programs, Who We Are, http://www.casey.org/about/ (last visited December 15, 2015).
23
Supreme Court of Texas Permanent Judicial Commission for Children, Youth and Families, of
which Specia and Defendants expert Dr. Jane Burstain (Burstain) were members before
joining DFPS. (PX 1988 at 5).
Texas Comptroller Report, Forgotten Children. In April 2004, Texas Comptroller Carol
Keeton Strayhorn published a report titled: Forgotten Children, A Special Report on the Texas
Foster Care System. The 306-page report detailed a number of shortcomings in Texass foster
care system. Although Forgotten Children is not itself in the record, it was frequently cited and
relied on by reports that are in the record. (See, e.g., PX 1966 at 5-6).
Texas Sunset Advisory Commission. The Texas Sunset Advisory Commission is a 12-
member group created by the Texas Legislature to report on the conditions in Texas foster care
and find ways to eliminate waste, duplication, and inefficiency. DFPS was mandated to provide
unfettered access to the Sunset Commission, including allowing the Sunset Commission to
survey all 11,000 DFPS employees, participate in CPS investigations, tour foster care facilities,
meet with former foster children, and attend internal DFPS meetings. (PX 1861 at 131). The
Sunset Commission issued its report in May 2014.
The Stephen Group. The Stephen Group is a highly regarded national business and
government consulting firm. The Group has performed multiple child welfare consulting jobs
across the country. Specia contracted with The Stephen Group in February 2014 to conduct an
operational review of DFPS and CPS to figure out why so many problems remain despite all the
money and [effort] that have been put into the agency since 2006. (D.E. 300 at 25; D.E. 331 at
45-46; PX 1993 at 9). Specia voluntarily provided The Stephen Group the same unfettered
access that he was required to provide the Sunset Commission.
24
2. National Standards
Child Welfare League of America. The CWLA is the nations oldest and largest
membership-based child welfare organization. (PX 2114 at 3). The CWLAs professional
standards are universally known and respected in the child welfare community. The Texas
Legislature mentions the CWLAs standards in its guidelines for DFPS.
Council on Accreditation (COA). The COA is another respected national nonprofit
organization that recommends professional standards for state child welfare systems. The
COAs standards are intended to guide foster care practices. States that meet COA standards are
accredited. Only six states, not including Texas, have received COA accreditation.
Plaintiffs frequently refer to the CWLA and COA standards to show that DFPS
substantially departs from professional judgment. DFPS argues that a deviation from these
standards of excellence does not prove a substantial departure from professional judgment.
DFPS is correct, in part.
A failure to meet CWLA and COA standards is not a per se constitutional violation.
Professional standards, however, can be evidence for or against a constitutional violation. A
significant deviation from professional standards could itself constitute a substantial departure
from accepted professional judgment that, under certain circumstances, may give rise to a
substantive due process claim . . . . Cassie M., 16 F. Supp. 3d at 48. A substantial departure
from all relevant professional standards can also indicate that a professional was subjectively
aware of, and opted to disregard, a substantial risk of serious harm, i.e., that the professional was
deliberately indifferent. It is beyond question that DFPS is aware of CWLA standards. The
Texas Legislature refers to the CWLA in discussing recommended caseloads for conservatorship
workers: Professional caseload standards . . . are established or are recommended for
25
establishment for employees of health and human services agencies by management studies
conducted for health and human services agencies or by an authority or association, including the
Child Welfare League of America, the National Eligibility Workers Association, the National
Association of Social Workers, and associations of state health and human services agencies.
Tex. Govt Code Ann. 531.001(5). Furthermore, as of 2010, Texas (along with 37 other states)
was a member of the CWLA. Although Texas did not need to recognize or adopt CWLA
standards to become a member, Texas did have to pay dues, which gave it access to resources
published or provided by the CWLA. (D.E. 302 at 47; D.E. 325 at 97).
Many courts have allowed experts to draw on CWLA and COA standards when
analyzing foster care systems. Courts generally find that while neither standard imposes legal
obligations on child welfare agencies, both are reflective of the bar to which child welfare
agencies are generally expected to measure up. Connor B. ex rel. Vigurs v. Patrick (Connor B.
II), 985 F. Supp. 2d 129, 136, 138, 151 (D. Mass. 2013); see also LaShawn A., 762 F. Supp. at
964, 966 (considering CWLA standards a relevant professional standard for assessing the
District of Columbia child welfare agency); Kenny A. v. Perdue, 2004 WL 5503780, at *12
(N.D. Ga. Dec. 13, 2004) (finding that experts adequately relied on accepted professional
standards, including those from CWLA and COA). Courts have found these standards relevant
because they are national in scope and widely followed by child welfare agencies. Doe ex rel.
G.S. v. Johnson, 52 F.3d 1448, 1454, 1462 (7th Cir. 1995).
The Court finds that CWLA and COA standards are relevant and admissible to help the
Court determine whether DFPSs challenged policies and practices constitute substantial
departures from professional judgment. The Court also finds Texass knowledge of these
standards relevant to whether the State is deliberately indifferent toward its polices and practices.
26
3. Child and Family Service Reviews
Texas relies heavily on its performance on the Child and Family Service Review
(Review). The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services implemented the Review in
2001 to determine which states child and family welfare systems met the requirements of Titles
IV-B and IV-E of the Social Security Act. (DX 143 at 1). The current Review (the third since
inception) assesses states performance on seven indicators: (1) Maltreatment in Foster Care; (2)
Recurrence of Maltreatment; (3) Permanency in 12 Months for Children Entering Foster Care;
(4) Permanency in 12 Months for Children in Foster Care 12 to 23 Months; (5) Permanency in
12 Months for Children in Foster Care 24 Months or More; (6) Re-Entry to Foster Care in 12
Months; and (7) Placement Stability. Id. The first two indicators relate to childrens safety; the
last five relate to childrens permanency. On Round 3 of the Review, Texas met the federal
standard on six of seven indicators, falling short on number 5, Permanency in 12 Months for
Children in Foster Care for 24 Months or Longer. (DX 147 at 1-18). The State argues that its
compliance with these standards contradicts Plaintiffs claims of conscience-shocking
deliberate indifference and evinces the exercise, not total abdication, of professional judgment.
(D.E. 277, attachment 8, at 5). Defendants arguments are inapposite.
Plaintiffs claims only relate to children in Texass PMC. Of the seven indicators,
numbers 3 and 6 do not incorporate any data for PMC children, focusing exclusively on children
who have been in foster care less than 12 months. Numbers 1, 2, 4, and 7 use data for both PMC
and TMC children, muddling the ability to draw meaningful conclusions about only PMC
children. As Defendants expert Burstain testified, To really understand whats happening, you
have to look at sub-populations and cannot rely on overall averages. (D.E. 330 at 191). The
only indicator that exclusively accounts for Texass PMC children is the one that Texas failed.
27
(D.E. 277, attachment 8, at 5; DX 147 at 1, 9-10). Yet even if Texas had met the national
standard for Permanency in 12 Months for Children in Foster Care for 24 Months or Longer, that
does not decide this case. Whether Texas meets the federal permanency standard as it relates to
the Social Security Actwhich it does notdoes not answer whether Texass PMC foster
children are placed at an unreasonable risk of harm due to either deliberate indifference or a
substantial departure from professional judgment.
Additionally, Texass Review performance is based on data it submitted. (DX 143 at 1).
As discussed infra, DFPSs investigations of foster child maltreatment are woefully deficient and
often inaccurate, making the States self-reported data unreliable. See Section IV.B.1. Even
when DFPS discovered deficiencies in a large subset of its investigations, it did not update its
submissions to the Review. Furthermore, DFPS does not even track certain abuse, such as child-
on-child abuse, which is included in the Review. (DX 143 at 2). Texass Review performance is
therefore provides little, if any, reliable evidence for this case.
4. Witnesses
a. Fact Witnesses
The Court heard from 28 fact witnesses, including six next friends and attorney ad litems
of Named Plaintiffs, a leader of a nonprofit that works with former foster children, five former
foster children, two former DFPS caseworkers, and 14 current DFPS officers.
Next Friends and Attorney Ad Litems. Karen Langsley is the next friend and attorney
ad litem for former Named Plaintiff D.P. Langsley is a solo practitioner who primarily practices
in child welfare and family law and regularly represents PMC children and parents in DFPS
cases. She has been licensed in Texas since 2004 and currently practices in Austin and the
surrounding counties. She was one of the first Texas lawyers certified as a Child Welfare Law
28
Specialist by the American Bar Association, through the National Association of Counsel for
Children. Langsley also sits on the State Bar Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect and
annually teaches a day-long continuing legal education course on child welfare. That course is
part of a four-day conference on Advanced Family Law, which is the largest seminar of its type
in the country. (D.E. 323 at 60-67). Anna Ricker is the next friend and attorney ad litem for
J.S., H.V., and P.O. Ricker has served as an attorney ad litem for 17 years, representing around
150 children in Texass PMC. She currently has between 10 and 12 PMC children on her
caseload. Ricker also represented DFPS for four years as an Assistant District Attorney. She
currently practices in West Texas, primarily in Levelland, Littlefield, and the surrounding
counties. She often interacts with her clients conservatorship caseworkers. (D.E. 326 at 197-
98; D.E. 187 at 89). Javier Solis (Solis) is the next friend for S.A. Solis previously worked in
the Cameron County District Attorneys Office prosecuting CPS cases. Since June 2001, Solis
has served as an attorney ad litem for over 900 children in DFPSs custody. He currently
practices in Cameron, Hidalgo, and Willacy Counties, representing 55 to 60 children in any
given month. In his capacity as an attorney ad litem, Solis interacts with conservatorship
caseworkers on a daily basis. (D.E. 323 at 6-7). Sarah Stukenberg (Stukenberg) is the next
friend and attorney ad litem for M.D. She has practiced family law for over seven years in
Texas, mainly representing foster children in Texass TMC and PMC, although she sometimes
represents parents in CPS cases as well. (D.E. 324 at 211-12). Jennifer Talley (Talley) is the
next friend for A.M. She has worked in child welfare for over 22 years. Talley worked for one
year in a psychiatric hospital, primarily with foster youth, and worked for CPS for 12 years. At
CPS, Talley first worked as a conservatorship caseworker with both TMC and PMC children,
and then for seven years as a Preparation for Adult Living coordinator for Region 8. She has
29
volunteered at a camp for older youths in foster care for over 24 years. Later, she worked for six
and a half years with youths aging out of care through a private foundation and another two years
with a CPA, focusing on adolescent adoptions. Her work with the Preparation for Adult Living
program focused on ensuring that foster children aging out of care received independent living
skills and other necessary post-foster care guidance and support. Through most of her time as
PAL coordinator Talley was the sole full-time Region 8 PAL staff member, with only a half-time
administrative assistant. The majority of the 800 children she worked with in this program were
in Texass PMC. (D.E. 323 at 84-88). Estella Vasquez (Vasquez) is the next friend and
attorney ad litem for L.H. and C.H. She has practiced family law and criminal law since 2008.
Vasquez regularly serves as an attorney ad litem in Cameron County for children and parents in
CPS cases. She represents over 100 children per year in such cases, and has represented over
600 children in Texass TMC and PMC as an attorney ad litem. (D.E. 327 at 187-95). Vasquez
is also the elected city commissioner for the City of Brownsville.
Nonprofit Leader. Sandra Carpenter (Carpenter) runs Angel Reach, a nonprofit in
Conroe, Texas that helps children who age out of foster care. Carpenter initially started Angel
Reach to help children and their families in kinship placements. Although Angel Reach still
works with kinship placement families, as of 2011 it switched its focus to transitional living
programs for youths aging out of foster care, due to the large number of homeless former foster
youths living in the Conroe area. Angel Reach provides these aged-out youths with independent
living skills and tools. Id. at 11. Angel Reach houses up to 29 former foster youths and provides
nonresidential services such as transportation, mentoring, education, and job placement for up to
20 others. Id. Since 2011, Carpenter has worked with approximately 180 former foster youths.
Id. at 13. She was a foster parent for 65 children over 16 years. Id. at 6. (D.E. 307 at 4-13)
30
Former Foster Children. Jordan Arce (Arce), Crystal Bentley (Bentley), Darryl
Jackson (Jackson), Patricia Virgil (Virgil), and Kristopher Sharp (Sharp) are former
foster youths who aged out of care. Arce, 19 years old at trial, entered foster care at age 14 and
aged out at 18. (D.E. 324 at 48). Arce had six placements, including a childrens shelter, a
foster home, a GRO, and kinship placements. Id. at 49, 51-52. His level of care was Basic
throughout his time in the States custody. Id. at 53-54; see id. at 28-29. Today he is a student at
Texas Tech University. Id. at 49. Bentley entered foster care at age 2 and aged out at 18. She
was 23 years old at trial. Id. at 61. Bentley is a client of Angel Reach. Id. at 61-62. Bentley is
currently a sophomore at Lone Star College and a client of Angel Reach. Id. at 61-62. Jackson,
18 years old at trial, entered Texas foster care at age 12 and aged out at 18. Id. at 183. While in
Texas foster care, Jackson had between 35 and 40 placements, including foster family homes,
foster group homes, and RTCs. Id. at 184, 187-88. Jackson is a client of Angel Reach. Id. at
183. When he aged out of care, Jackson was referred to Angel Reach by his caseworker, but
otherwise received no support or preparation for independent living. Id. at 185. Virgil, 25 years
old at trial, entered foster care at age 12 and aged out at 19. Id. at 198. She was placed in
several foster family homes, foster group homes, and emergency shelters. Id. at 198, 201, 207.
She too received no preparation or support when she aged out of care. Id. at 208-09. Sharp, 24
years old at trial, entered care at age 10 and aged out shortly before turning 18. (D.E. 325 at 163-
64). He had around 25 placements, including foster group homes, GROs, and RTCs. Id. at 164-
65. Sharp is currently studying social work at the University of Houston Downtown and
working with advocacy groups that serve former foster youths who have aged out. Id. at 170,
176. He similarly received no preparation or support before he aged out of the States care. Id.
at 178-80.
31
Former DFPS Caseworkers. Beth Miller (B. Miller) worked for four and a half years
as a CPS conservatorship caseworker, first in San Antonio and then in Abilene. (D.E. 323 at 32).
Katrina Voelkel worked for two years as a CPS conservatorship caseworker in the PMC unit in
Lubbock. (D.E. 324 at 8-9).
Current DFPS Officers. Colleen McCall (McCall) is the Director of Field Operations
at DFPS. (D.E. 305 at 5). She has been at CPS for several decades but has been in her current
position since 2005. Id. at 9. McCalls responsibilities include coordinating with and overseeing
CPS regional directors and bringing the concerns of CPS field staff to DFPS leadership. Id. at
10. Caseworkers ultimately report to McCall. Id. She is also tasked with ensuring that primary
conservatorship caseworkers have manageable caseloads. Id. at 14, 17-18.
McCall reports to the Assistant Commissioner of CPS, Lisa Black. (See Attachment 1;
D.E. 300 at 5; D.E. 305 at 8-9). Black is CPSs top executive and reports directly to Specia.
(D.E. 300 at 5). Black has been at CPS for approximately 28 years, but has been in her current
position only since February 1, 2014. Id. at 6. Black spent six years as the regional director of
Region 3 (during which time she reported to McCall). (D.E. 300 at 6; D.E. 305 at 9). Black
oversees CPSs policies, practices, and overall operation, and has ultimate responsibility for
conservatorship caseworkers and supervisors. Id. at 6-7. The Court was troubled by Blacks
testimony. At trial, Black admitted she had not read multiple high-level reports about problems
at CPS, including the 2010 Texas Adoption Review Committee report that discussed CPS
caseworkers high caseloads and turnover rates.11 (See, e.g., id. at 33-35, 102; D.E. 323 at 141-
42). She also could not testify about the rate of abuse and neglect in foster care placements, an
11
That report was issued while Black was a Regional Director and presumably should have been concerned about
problems with CPS caseloads and turnover, at least as they affected caseworkers and supervisors in her Region.
32
area for which she is responsible. (D.E. 300 at 45-48). Black made no effort to acquire this
information before trial despite being questioned about it at her deposition two months prior. Id.
at 47-48. Black is also involved in Foster Care Redesign, the States effort to improve its
placement array. Id. at 80. As of trial, the State had data on only one of the two contracts it had
entered under Redesign. Black did not know basic information about this contract. Id. at 84-85.
Paul Morris, who also reports directly to Specia, is the Assistant Commissioner of CCL,
the top executive of that division. (D.E. 301 at 4-5). The Director of RCCL, Darla Jean Shaw
(Shaw), and the Division Administrator of PMU, Leslie Reed, report to Morris.12 (D.E. 301 at
7-8, 13; D.E. 323 at 160-61; PX 811 at 1, 4). Morris has an undergraduate degree in Accounting
from the University of Texas at Austin and is a Certified Public Accountant. (D.E. 301 at 6). He
first joined DFPS in 2008 in the Internal Audit division. Id. Morris was appointed Assistant
Commissioner for CCL in July 2013. Id. at 5. The Court was also troubled by Morriss
testimony. He had no experience in child welfare before joining DFPS in 2008. (Id. at 6; D.E.
323 at 159). He was hired because of his regulation experience with the U.S. Coastguard. Id.
Morris generally defers to Shaw because he didnt come into Licensing with a great deal of
[relevant] background. (D.E. 323 at 152-53). Like Black, Morris had not reviewed crucial
reports, including several produced by PMU. (See, e.g., D.E. 301 at 69-71, 94). Morris was
often unaware of important information relevant to his division, repeatedly stating that he relied
on Shaw to know that information. See, e.g., id. at 62-63, 89-90, 93.
It is clear to the Court that a main reason DFPS has not improved in the face of decades
of reports outlining deficiencies and recommending solutions is that there is no institutional
memory. Black and Morris never read critical reports about the departments they are charged
12
While Morris oversees all of the units within CCL, RCCL and PMU are the only ones relevant to this case.
33
with overseeing. It is no surprise then that Texas commissions full-scale audits of its foster care
system every five to ten years, always reaching the same conclusions, but never producing
improvement.
Darla Jean Shaw is the Director of RCCL and reports to Morris. (D.E. 329 at 5). She
has held that position since 2010, but has been at DFPS since 1995 (in CPS and RCCL) as an
investigator, caseworker, inspector, supervisor, and district manager. (DX 258). RCCL licenses,
investigates, and monitors Texass residential foster care facilities. (D.E. 329 at 5).
Christina Rawls-Martin (Rawls-Martin) was chair of the DFPS Council at the time of
trial. (D.E. 308 at 5). The DFPS Councils job is to assist the Commissioner in developing
rules and policies for DFPS and to study and make recommendations to the Commissioner
concerning the management and operations of DFPS. Id. at 10, 13. Rawls-Martin has been on
the Council since 2009 and was named chair by Governor Perry in 2013. Id. at 7-8. Although
Rawls-Martins term appears to have expired on February 1, 2015, she is still listed as chair on
the Council website.13 Rawls-Martin is also vice-chair and founding member of the Hidalgo and
Starr County Childrens Advocacy Center. (D.E. 308 at 11).
Judy Bowman is the Regional Director for CPS Regions 4 and 5, which encompass 38
counties in East Texas. (D.E. 327 at 7, 11). Bowman is the highest-level DFPS employee in
Regions 4 and 5 and reports to McCall. Bowman has been at DFPS for more than 39 years,
beginning as a caseworker and later being promoted to supervisor, program director, program
administrator, and district director before becoming Regional Director in 2005. Id. at 7-10. As
Regional Director, she oversees the decision-making programs for investigations, family-based
13
See DFPS Council, https://www.dfps.state.tx.us/About_DFPS/Public_Meetings/Council/ (last visited December
10, 2015).
34
safety services, conservatorship, kinship, and family groups in her regions. Id. at 10. Bowman
manages approximately 750 employees. Id. at 12-15. There are approximately 160 caseworkers
in Region 4 and 95 caseworkers in Region 5, caring for approximately 1950 and 1000 children,
respectively. Id. at 14-15, 33-34. Approximately 35% of these children are in PMC. Id. at 33.
Camille Gilliam (Gilliam) is the Regional Director for CPS Regions 1 and 9, which
encompass 71 counties in West and Northwest Texas. Id. at 56, 59-60. Like Bowman, Gilliam
reports to McCall. She has been at DFPS for nearly 34 years, also starting as a caseworker.
Gilliam was promoted to supervisor, program director, program administrator, and in 2005 to
Regional Director of Region 1. Id. at 56-58. She has been Regional Director of Regions 1 and
9 for the last year, but at different times had also been the acting Regional Director for Region 10
and acting Regional Director for Regions 1, 2, and 9. Id. at 59, 61. There are 114 caseworkers
in Region 1 and 75 caseworkers in Region 9 caring for approximately 1600 and 1150 children,
respectively. Id. at 63, 67.
George Cannata is the Deputy Assistant Commissioner for CPS. Id. at 93. He reports
to Black. He has been at DFPS for 18 years, working primarily in investigations and family-
based safety services, starting as an investigative caseworker before being promoted to
supervisor, program specialist, program manager, program director, program administrator, and
eventually Deputy Assistant Commissioner in August 2014. Id. at 93-97. His current
responsibilities include heading CPS Transformation. (Id. at 141; D.E. 313 at 6).
Transformation is CPSs response to the 2014 evaluations by The Stephen Group and Sunset
Commission. (D.E. 327 at 141-43).
Jenny Hinson (Hinson) is the Division Administrator for Permanency at CPS. (D.E.
314 at 4). She supervises a team of seven subject matter experts and with them is responsible for
35
developing and administering policies and programs for children in DFPS conservatorship. (See
id. at 221; DX 259 at 1). She has been in her current position since 2010, but has been at DFPS
since 1998. Hinson has worked as a statewide intake specialist, caseworker, supervisor, program
director, program administrator, and program specialist. (D.E. 327 at 222-23; DX 259 at 1-2).
While Hinson focuses on CPS policies that relate to permanence, she seems to know little about
how her policies actually affect permanency. Id. at 6-9. For example, she oversees extended
foster care for children who age out, but does not know how many children benefit from that
program, or the effectiveness of that program. Id. at 8-9. Similarly, while she said that
independent living classes are offered to all foster children age 16 and up, Hinson does not know
how many children attend those classes. She believes that number is fewer than 50 out of the
1300-1400 children who age out annually. (Id. at 21-22; see also DX 24 at 14 (showing that
1410 youths aged out in 2011); DX 119 at 221 (showing that 1328 youths aged out in 2013)).
Gail Gonzalez (Gonzalez) is the Director of Placement at CPS and reports to Black.
(D.E. 328 at 88, 124; DX 257 at 3). She also oversees the Foster and Adoptive Home
Development and Interstate Compact for Placement of Children programs. (D.E. 328 at 88, 100-
101; DX 257 at 3). She has been in that position since 2009 but has worked at DFPS (mostly in
CPS) since 1988 as a specialist, supervisor, placement team lead, and unit manager. (DX 257 at
1-3). In 2009 Gonzalez was appointed to the Texas Adoption Review Committee discussed
supra, serving as the Committees vice-chair. (PX 1964 at 2, 4; supra pp. 10-11). In her current
position, Gonzalez oversees CPSs placement function, which, at a high level, entails ensuring
that [CPS has] some level of expertise when . . . matching children to the best placement
options. (D.E. 328 at 104). Her responsibilities also include overseeing policy and practice
relating to services for children in State-regulated facilities as well as policy and practice relating
36
to CPAs (for both the 122 private providers that DFPS contracts with and each CPS region when
those regions act as CPAs). Id. at 88-89. The Foster and Adoptive Home Development program
is responsible for recruiting, verifying, training, and monitoring foster and adoptive homes and
families. Id. at 94-96. Gonzalez additionally works with special projects and initiatives, liaises
with central and regional leadership, legislators, and other stakeholders, and coordinates and
leads implementation of legislative changes. (DX 257 at 3).
Kaysie Reinhardt (Reinhardt) is the Director of Foster Care Redesign, Texass
attempt to improve its placement array. She reports to Black. (DX 260 at 1; PX 811 at 1). She
has held that position since 2013, but has been at DFPS since 2000 as a conservatorship
caseworker, centralized placement coordinator, lead investigator, supervisor, program specialist
(for multiple different programs), and project manager. (Id. at 1-3; D.E. 328 at 178). Before
joining DFPS she was a substance abuse counselor and a residential counselor at an RTC. (DX
260 at 3-4). In her current position she oversees and manages the implementation of Foster Care
Redesign. (D.E. 328 at 178). She is also the head of the Public Private Partnership, the body
guiding Foster Care Redesign. Id. at 181.
Frianita Wilson (F. Wilson) is the Director of Purchased Client Services for CPS and
reports to Black. (D.E. 329 at 53, 56-57; DX 256). She has held that position since 2013. She
monitors the private contracted services for residential foster care placements (meaning services
provide by CPAs, GROs, RTCs, etc.). Id. F. Wilson had previously worked for DFPS in 1996-
2003 in contract management and monitoring before spending 10 years with HHSC in its
contract compliance department. (D.E. 329 at 55; DX 256). The DFPS Contract Oversight and
Support division sets the policies and procedures that Purchased Client Services follows in
maintaining and managing contracts. (D.E. 329 at 57). Additionally, when Purchased Client
37
Services staff conduct risk assessments (as part of their monitoring of CPAs, GROs, etc.), they
submit the results of those assessments to Contract Oversight and Support. Id. at 59.
Christine Maldonado (Maldonado) is the Contract Oversight and Support Director at
DFPS. (D.E. 329 at 89). She reports to DFPSs Chief Operating Officer. Id. at 92. She
establishes policies, procedures, and training for contract staff, and conducts quality assurance of
contract management. (D.E. 329 at 90). Additionally, when receiving risk assessments from
Purchased Client Services Staff, Contract Oversight and Support uses the results to adjust its
statewide contract monitoring plan. Id. at 59-61. Maldonado has held this position since 2009
and has been at DFPS for over 18 years (primarily in Contract Oversight and Support), as an
investigative caseworker, contract manager, policy and technical assistance specialist, and
quality assurance team lead. (DX 261).
John Specia, Jr. is the Commissioner of DFPS. He has held that position since
December 2012. (D.E. 331 at 21). Specias career in child welfare and public service is
extensive and commendable. (DX 276). Specia began to practice in child welfare in 1978. Id.
at 23. Specia practiced as a child welfare attorney for seven and a half years in Region 8 (for the
Texas Department of Human Resources) before becoming an associate judge for the juvenile
court in Bexar County. Id. at 23-24. He later served as a judge for the 225th District Court in
San Antonio, with special jurisdiction in the area of child abuse and neglect, for 18 and a half
years. Id. at 24. He eventually helped establish the Texas Supreme Courts Childrens
Commissions as well as various Child Protection Courts throughout Texas. (DX 276 at 1).
Further, he helped establish the Bexar County Childrens Court, which provides specialized
services for children. Id. Specia was previously vice-chair of the Texas Supreme Courts
Permanent Judicial Commission for Children, Youth, and Families and chair of the Supreme
38
Court Task Force on Foster Care. Id. Over the years he has received multiple awards, most
recently the Texas Appleseed Award in 2014 for his impact on improving the lives of Texass
most vulnerable children. Id. at 2. As Commissioner, Specia oversees approximately 12,000
employees, including 8000 in CPS. (D.E. 331 at 31).
b. Expert Witnesses
Federal Rule of Evidence 702 requires district courts to act as gatekeepers, excluding
expert testimony that is not relevant or reliable. Fed. R. Evid. 702; see also Kumho Tire Co.,
Ltd. v. Carmichael, 526 U.S. 137, 152 (1999); Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharm., Inc., 509 U.S.
579, 597 (1993). A trial court may consider several non-exclusive factors when evaluating the
reliability of an experts opinion, including: (1) whether a theory or technique can be tested; (2)
whether the theory or technique has been subjected to peer review and publication; (3) the
known or potential rate of error; (4) the existence and maintenance of standards and controls; and
(5) general acceptance of the theory in the scientific or expert community. United States v.
Valencia, 600 F.3d 389, 424 (5th Cir. 2010) (citing Daubert, 509 U.S. at 593-95). The list of
Daubert factors neither necessarily nor exclusively applies to all experts or in every case.
Kumho Tire, 526 U.S. at 141. District courts have wide latitude in determining the
admissibility of expert testimony, and the discretion of the trial judge will not be disturbed on
appeal unless manifestly erroneous. United States v. Cooks, 589 F.3d 173, 179 (5th Cir. 2009)
(quoting Watkins v. Telsmith, Inc., 121 F.3d 984, 988 (5th Cir. 1997)). The safeguards outlined
in Daubert are less essential in a bench trial. Gibbs v. Gibbs, 210 F.3d 491, 500 (5th Cir. 2000).
Regardless of how a court evaluates an experts reliability, the object of the gatekeeping
responsibility is to make certain that an expert, whether basing testimony upon professional
studies or personal experience, employs in the courtroom the same level of intellectual rigor that
39
characterizes the practice of an expert in the relevant field. Kumho Tire, 526 U.S. at 152;
Valencia, 600 F.3d at 424.
According to these principles, the Court allowed all proffered experts to testify during
trial over both parties objections. The Court let both parties cross-examine the experts and
challenge their opinions during trial rather than conduct separate time-consuming reliability
hearings. The Court similarly admitted all proffered experts reports without first determining
their relevance or reliability, as those reports supported the experts testimony. Defendants
objected to the admission of the expert reports as hearsay. When reviewing the reports after trial,
the Court only considered the facts and data that experts in the particular field would reasonably
rely on . . . in forming an opinion on the subject. Fed. R. Evid. 703; see also Daubert, 509 U.S.
at 595. The Court disregarded all other parts as inadmissible hearsay. (See, e.g., D.E. 325 at 13-
14). Even though all experts were qualified by education, knowledge, or experience, several
experts opinions were not credible or unreliable. The Court disregarded the reports and
testimony of Drs. Dennis Zeller and Edwin Basham in their entirety and accorded reduced
weight to the reports and testimony of others.
Dr. Dennis Zeller (Zeller) is Plaintiffs expert on child welfare performance
measurements. (See D.E. 322 at 129-33, 141). Zeller has a B.A. in Philosophy from the
University of Oklahoma, a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Texas at Austin, and a
masters in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin. Zeller is currently the president
of Hornby Zeller Associates, Inc., a management consulting firm specializing in child welfare,
juvenile justice, mental health, and public assistance. He and his firm have consulted for 29
states in the area of child welfare. Those consulting projects include analyzing whether child
welfare agencies are meeting their expected outcomes and compliance goals, performing quality
40
assurance and case reviews, and conducting workload studies to determine the number of
caseworkers that a given agency needs. His firm regularly produces reports in connection with
these projects, which include findings as well as recommendations for improvement. For
example, when he and his firm audited the performance of the Oklahoma Department of Human
Services (in 2008-2009), focusing specifically on child welfare, they produced a report with 26
recommendations, 25 of which the legislature passed into law. Prior to starting his consulting
firm in 1988, Zeller was a program research specialist, supervisor, and later director of the Policy
Analysis Unit at the New York State Division of Family and Childrens Services. In New York,
he developed or oversaw the development of regulations for child protective services, proposed
legislation for preventive services, and standards for eligibility for preventive services. Before
that, between 1977 and 1980, he was a statistician and supervisor of the Survey and Analysis
Unit at the Texas Department of Human Services.
Although Zeller, based on his experience and education, was accepted without objection
as an expert on child welfare performance measurement, the Court finds Zellers conclusions
unreliable. First, Zeller did not support several of his opinions. His connections between the
policies and practices of DFPS and the outcomes for Texas foster children were arrived at with
only a cursory review of the actual outcomes for children in Texass PMC. See, e.g., id. at 183.
For example, Zeller concluded that Texass caseworker workloads affect PMC childrens
outcomes. His finding, however, was based entirely on a review of other states foster care
systems. He never analyzed this data for Texas. Id. at 172. He made the same mistake when
asserting a connection between the frequency of parental visits in foster care and PMC childrens
outcomes. Id. at 181. Second, Zeller failed to provide context for his conclusions. He testified
that 75% of children in PMC who were separated from their siblings had no sibling visitation
41
over a given three-month period, but Zeller did not know how many children comprised that
75% figure or how many sibling groups were separated in PMC during that three-month period.
Id. at 184-90. Lacking context, the Court cannot determine how often siblings are separated.
Zeller repeated these mistakes throughout trial. See id. at 193-96, 199-203, 206-11. The Court
therefore cannot verify the reliability of his testimony and report. The Court disregards Zellers
report and testimony in their entirety and any part of testimony by other experts that relied on
Zellers data or report.
Dr. William Lee Carter (Carter) is Plaintiffs child psychology expert. He has been a
licensed psychologist for over 31 years. (D.E. 326 at 69-70). Carter received his B.A. in
Psychology as well as his M.S. and Ed.D. in Counseling Psychology from Baylor University.
(PX 2015 at 38 (filed under seal)). Over his career, he has worked directly for school districts,
hospitals, and clinics, working almost exclusively with children. See id. at 39-40. Carter also
spent five years as the Director of Psychology at an RTC. Id. at 40. He has published eight
books relating to the field of child psychology and welfare. Id. Carter has performed around
7500 psychological evaluations of children and youths, two thousand of which were of children
involved with CPS, and provided counseling services for another one thousand children in Texas
psychiatric hospitals and RTCs. Carter currently consults for CPS, several CPAs, a juvenile
detention center, a special education co-op, an advocacy center medical advisory board, and an
RTC. Id. at 38-39. Carter has conducted many expert psychological examinations for DFPS and
for both plaintiffs and defendants in criminal and civil matters. Id. at 2. In the last five years, he
has consulted or testified as an expert in over 200 cases, most often on behalf of the State of
Texas in child sexual abuse prosecutions. (See id. at 158-70; D.E. 326 at 71).
42
Carter conducted comprehensive psychological evaluations of some of the Named
Plaintiffs in 2012 and conducted follow-up evaluations in 2014. (PX 2015 at 3 (filed under
seal)). His evaluations included a clinical interview with each child, an observation of child-
caregiver interactions, a personal history questionnaire, an intelligence test, a behavioral
assessment, and a risk evaluation. Id. He also reviewed the childrens DFPS case files and,
when possible, interviewed their treatment providers and caregivers. Id. Carter paid particular
attention to the progression of each Named Plaintiffs psychological well-being over the course
of time spent in foster care. Id. Carter found that the experiences of the Named Plaintiffs while
in DFPS custody, including the psychological harm that they suffered, were typical for the Texas
foster children he evaluated and counseled over the years. (D.E. 326 at 132-33, 194). The Court
finds Carters reports and testimony relevant, reliable, and admissible.
Daryl Chansuthus (Chansuthus) is Plaintiffs expert on continuous quality
improvement and appropriate staffing levels for oversight functions in child welfare systems.
(D.E. 324 at 88). She has, among other degrees, a masters in Social Work from the University
of Tennessee at Knoxville. (D.E. 324 at 74). She began her career in social work before joining
the Tennessee Department of Childrens Services (DCS) (Tennessees CPS equivalent) in
2002 as a compliance monitor. In 2004, Chansuthus was promoted to director of the Quality
Assurance and Continuous Quality Improvement division. Id. at 80. In 2006, she was promoted
to the newly created executive director position and was given responsibilities over the
accreditation, evaluation and monitoring, policy and planning, program accountability review,
and licensing divisions. Id. at 81. Part of her oversight of the accreditation division included
helping Tennessee become accredited by the COA. Id. at 82. In both positions she reported
directly to the Commissioner of DCS. Id. She also helped ensure Tennessees compliance with
43
the settlement agreement arising from Brian A. by Brooks v. Sundquist, 149 F. Supp. 2d 941
(M.D. Tenn. 2000). (PX 2022 at 3). Further, when Chansuthus was executive director, she
helped design and implement a continuous quality improvement structure for DCS, which
determines how well the agency performs its required tasks, and whether those tasks lead to
desired outcomes. (D.E. 324 at 79-80).
In 2007, Chansuthus left Tennessees CPS equivalent and became the executive director
of the Tennessee Center for Child Welfare, a consortium of university social work departments
that aided Tennessees CPS. Id. at 77, 83. In that role, she worked primarily with DCS staff to
identify practice strengths and weaknesses and to provide training and support to address the
areas of identified weakness. (D.E. 324 at 77, 83). In 2013, she became the executive director of
the Wo/Mens Resource and Rape Assistance Program, where she continues to work with
children and families who have experienced domestic or sexual violence. Id. at 78. She has also
worked, since 2007, at the University of Tennessee, first as a clinical assistant professor and then
as an adjunct professor, in the areas of social work and child welfare. (PX 2022 at 2-3). The
Court finds Chansuthuss report and testimony relevant, reliable, and admissible.
Dr. Viola Miller (Dr. Miller) is Plaintiffs child welfare systems expert. (D.E. 302 at
6-7). Plaintiffs asked Dr. Miller primarily to review how caseworker caseloads and placement
arrays affect PMC children. Id. at 15. Her extensive experience and background in child welfare
was unrivaled by any other witness, expert or otherwise, testifying at trial. Dr. Millers career in
child welfare spans more than 40 years. (Id. at 7, 12; PX 2037 at 64-66). From 1995 to 2003 she
served as Secretary of Kentuckys equivalent to Health and Human Services (Specias position),
overseeing approximately 10,000 employees and a budget of $950 million. (D.E. 302 at 9-10;
PX 2037 at 64). Dr. Miller was then Commissioner of Tennessees DCS from 2003 to 2011,
44
overseeing approximately 5000 employees and a budget of $640 million. (PX 2037 at 64). She
significantly improved the child welfare systems in both states. (D.E. 302 at 6-7). Since retiring
in 2011, Dr. Miller has consulted for child welfare agencies in Massachusetts, Illinois, and
Oklahoma, and volunteers on the boards of child welfare organizations. Id. at 12-14. She has
authored 24 publications about social work, child welfare, and child development. (PX 2037 at
66-68). She has also over the years presented at countless workshops and conference in those
fields. See id. at 69-73. At least one other court recently relied on Dr. Millers expert testimony
on child welfare systems and caseworkers caseloads in a class action similar to the present case.
D.G. ex rel. Strickland v. Yarbrough, 278 F.R.D. 635 (N.D. Okla. 2011) (denying defendants
motion to decertify the class after full discover). The Court finds the majority of Dr. Millers
report and testimony relevant, reliable, and admissible. The Court disregarded any references in
Dr. Millers report to Zellers data or report and any opinions or conclusions offered by Dr.
Miller that were based on Zellers analysis.
Dr. Caroline Long Burry (Burry) is Plaintiffs social work expert. (D.E. 325 at 12).
She has a B.A. in Sociology from Furman University, a masters in Social Work from the
University of Georgia (with a specialization in families and children), and a Ph.D. in Social
Work from the University of South Carolina (her dissertation was based on creating and
evaluating a training program for foster parents). (PX 2003 at 113 (filed under seal)). Burry is
currently an associate professor of Social Work at the University of Maryland in Baltimore and
chair of the Families and Children specialization within that department. (D.E. 325 at 15). She
is licensed at the highest level for a social worker in both South Carolina and Maryland. Id. at
18. She has been a social worker in Georgia and South Carolina and a therapeutic foster parent
in South Carolina. (PX 2003 at 118-19). Between 1992 and 2000 she founded and then co-
45
directed the Adoption Center of South Carolina, which provided adoption-related services to
children and families. Id. at 118. She has extensive experience teaching, mentoring,
researching, and consulting in social work and child welfare. (Id. at 18-19; PX 2003 at 113-21
(filed under seal)). She has also given countless presentations and authored or co-authored many
articles, book chapters, and training manuals in the fields of social work and child welfare. (See
PX 2003 at 121-34 (filed under seal)). For this case, she reviewed the case files of three Named
Plaintiffs (S.A., H.V., and A.M.), evaluating each childs casework. (D.E. 325 at 19-21). The
Court finds Burrys report and testimony relevant, reliable, and admissible.
Mary Dee Richter (Richter) is Plaintiffs foster group home expert. (D.E. 326 at 5;
PX 2014 (filed under seal)). Richter has a B.S. in Education from Northwest Missouri State
University and an M.S. in Education from the College of Saint Rose. (PX 2014 at 45 (filed
under seal)). She is currently an independent consultant for juvenile justice and child welfare
programs. Id. She began her career as a speech pathologist, working with children in various
settings. Id. Richter then spent 15 years working with Father Flanagans Boys Town, an
agency operating group homes for foster children in Nebraska, as both an on-site staff member
and a manager. (D.E. 326 at 7-9). She started as a group home parent/family teacher, caring
(along with her husband) for nine teenage boys in a group home, and later became the assistant
community director for Boys Town, supervising nine additional group homes. Id. at 8. She
then became the site director for a pilot Boys Town branch in Florida, operating first in
Tallahassee and later also in Orlando. Id. at 8-9. Richter then worked for five years at the
Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) (Floridas DFPS) as the chief of
Permanency Planning. Id. at 9-10. She left the Florida DCF for ten years to be the executive
director of the Florida Network of Youth and Family Services, which was a consortium of
46
private CPAs that served approximately 20,000 children each year, before returning to DCF as
assistant director for Family Safety. Id. at 11. For the present case, Richter evaluated Texass
use of foster group homes by considering CWLA and COA standards, Texas state law and DFPS
policy, data from DFPS on foster group homes between 2012-14, and seventy investigation files
for incidents at Texas foster group homes in 2012. (PX 2014 at 7 (filed under seal)). The Court
finds Richters report and testimony relevant, reliable, and admissible.
Laurie Bensky (Bensky) is Plaintiffs expert statistician. Bensky has a B.A. in
Psychology and a masters in Social Work. (D.E. 325 at 187). She is currently a senior policy
analyst at Childrens Rights. Id. She previously worked as a foster care caseworker and
supervisor. Id. Before joining Childrens Rights she worked at the New York City
Administration for Childrens Services (essentially New York Citys CPS), in the Quality
Assurance department. Id. at 188. Her testimony laid the foundation for three Plaintiffs
exhibits, which reflected PMC caseworker caseloads, and the number of children 12 and younger
in DFPS custody for more than 18 months (i.e. PMC) that reside in group homes and institutions.
Id. The Court finds Benskys report and testimony relevant, reliable, and admissible.
Dr. Alan Salzberg (Salzberg) is Defendants expert who was called to review and
rebut Zellers report and testimony. (DX 252). Salzberg is currently the director at Summit
Consulting, an economics and statistical consulting firm. Id. at 57. While Salzberg has
extensive background in statistical consulting, unlike Zeller, he does not have any background or
experience in child welfare. (See DX 240; D.E. 328 at 61). Salzberg did not perform any
statistical analyses of his own and did not offer any independent opinions or conclusions. (See
D.E. 328 at 70-71, 80). Because the Court disregarded Zellers findings, Salzbergs testimony
was not relevant. (D.E. 328 at 60-64).
47
Dr. Edwin Basham (Basham) is Defendants expert psychologist. Basham has a B.S.
in Psychology as well as an M.S. in Marriage and Family Counseling from Kansas State
University, and an Ed.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Northern Colorado.
(DX 242 at 2). For the past 25 years he has worked as a contract psychologist for DFPS. Id. at
1. He has also worked as a contract psychologist for a childrens temporary shelter, two juvenile
probation departments, and a psychiatric hospital. Id. Before that he was a staff psychologist at
an RTC, two psychiatric hospitals, and an outpatient clinic. Id. He has performed over 4,000
psychological evaluations of adults and children over his career. Id. at 3. He has also appeared
in court as an expert witness in over 200 cases, the vast majority on behalf of DFPS. Id. at 3-4.
Basham was offered to rebut Carters and Burrys conclusions that the Named Plaintiffs
suffered harm in the States care. (D.E. 330 at 52). Basham performed forensic evaluations of
the Named Plaintiffs in order to compare his evaluations to Carters. Id. at 67. The Court
disregards Bashams testimony because of his misconduct and self-contradiction.
In attempting to refute Carters conclusion that A.M. suffered harm in the States care,
Basham shared Carters findings with A.M. and asked her whether she agreed. (DX 266 at 7-8
(filed under seal)). Bashams conduct is shocking. Many of Carters conclusions were critical of
A.M.s ability to function in society. For example, Carter found that A.M. does not possess
[the] basic tools . . . to maintain friendships and that she is drastically unprepared for future
marriage or family life. See id. Basham parroted those findings to A.M. nonetheless.
Moreover, A.M. likely believed that her meetings with Carter were confidential. For a fragile
youth such as A.M., who already struggles to trust other people, Bashams conduct is
devastating. (D.E. 326 at 137-38). The kind of damage that Basham may have caused to A.M. is
48
precisely what the Court sought to avoid when allowing these psychological evaluations, and the
type of inappropriate conduct that the Court previously warned all parties against.
Basham also contradicted himself during a phone conference with the Court on
November 4, 2014, describing his interview with A.M. differently than he did in his report.
(D.E. 330 at 81-82, 108-111). In Bashams declaration, he purported to reconstruct from his
notes his conversation with A.M., directly contradicting the plain language of his written report.
(See D.E. 274-2). Basham attempted to explain that he actually read to A.M. statements that
Carter attributed to her, which Carter had allegedly noted in his report. However, several of the
statements that Basham read to A.M. were not attributed to her by Carter, as direct quotes or
otherwise, and were instead taken directly from Carters actual clinical impressions and
diagnostic conclusions. (See PX 2015 at 152-56 (filed under seal)). Basham also impeached
himself at trial, describing his interview with A.M. differently than he had in either his report or
during the telephone conference. (See D.E. 330 at 81-82, 108-111). He further admitted that,
even though his report said A.M. disagreed with one of Carters statements, A.M was actually
ambivalent about the statement. Id. at 81. Basham showed an overall indifference to A.M.s
well-being, professional standards, and the truth.
Even without these transgressions, Bashams findings are unreliable. At his deposition in
2012, Basham denied seeing evidence in the Named Plaintiffs case files of psychological or
emotional harm, even though the files for A.M., D.I., and S.A. each contained reports of sexual
abuse. Id. at 86-87, 90-93. When pressed on this finding at trial, Basham first claimed that he
misunderstood the question during his deposition. He then said that he never reviewed his
deposition to submit corrections. Later, however, after being corrected by Defendants counsel,
Basham admitted that he did review the deposition and submitted corrections, but just not to that
49
statement. Id. at 86-90. Basham also said that D.I. showed substantial improvement since
entering foster care. (DX 262 at 21 (filed under seal)). In reality, D.I. suffered three episodes of
rape at the age of eight that were initiated by adolescent boys in the home over a period of two
weeks. Id. at 56. D.I. is now very disturbed, heavily sexualized, and a high risk for
sexually harming children. (D.E. 326 at 190-91). The Court completely disregards Bashams
reports and testimony for this case, and is all too aware that Basham has long provided testimony
on behalf of the State of Texas.
Linda McNall (McNall) is Defendants expert on social work. McNall has a B.A.
from Adams State College and a masters in Social Work from the University of Michigan. (DX
244 at 1). For most of her long career in child welfare she has worked primarily for the New
Mexico Children, Youth & Families Department (CYFD) (essentially New Mexicos DFPS).
(See id. at 1-3; D.E. 329 at 123-26). Unlike Richter, McNall has no experience working directly
in, or managing, group homes. (See DX 244). Before joining CYFD she worked with both
children and adults as a social worker and adoption consultant. (DX 244 at 2-3). She joined
CYFD in 1989 as an adoption supervisor and was later promoted to county office manager,
policy and procedures bureau chief, adoption program manager, and finally regional manager.
Id. at 1-2. McNall retired from CYFD in 2011 and is currently an independent consultant.
(D.E. 329 at 127). McNall was offered to rebut Richters report and testimony. (D.E. 329 at
124). She wrote two reports: the first analyzed 49 investigations conducted in foster group
homes; the second analyzed 57 others. Id. at 129. She did not perform any independent study of
Texass foster group homes. (D.E. 319 at 4). The Court finds McNalls reports and testimony
unreliable.
50
First, McNall impeached herself. She admitted at trial that unrelated children living in a
home are exposed to different risks than related children living in a home; she said the opposite
in her report. Id. at 24-25. Second, McNalls reports say that in the 106 investigations she
reviewed, she saw no indication that any of the incidents resulted in traumatic or long lasting
harm to any of the children involved, either as victims or alleged perpetrators. (DX 253 at 11
(filed under seal)). In one investigation reviewed by McNall, DFPS confirmed that in a ten-child
foster group home, a 14-year-old male foster child sexually molested a four-year-old female
foster child, causing her vagina to bleed. (Id.; D.E. 319 at 21-22). The boy had previously
inappropriately touched an 18-year-old female foster child and a 13-year-old male foster child in
that same home, both of whom had mental retardation. Id. at 22-23. DFPS confirmed negligent
supervision because the foster parents were on vacation when the boy molested the four-year-
old. Id. It is unclear why McNall opined that there was no traumatic or long-lasting harm in any
of the reviewed cases, in part because she has no expertise in that area and was not retained to
offer opinions on that topic. See id. at 18. Even more troubling, McNall admitted at trial that the
above incident could have caused long-term harm, and that she made her statement probably . . .
without thinking it through completely. Id. at 23-24. McNall also admitted at trial, despite
stating to the contrary in her report, that multiple unrelated children living in one home are
exposed to different risks than a similar number of related children living in a single home. See
id. at 24-25. The Court disregards her reports and testimony.
Patricia Wilson (P. Wilson) is Defendants expert on child welfare systems, and was
retained to rebut the reports and testimony of Zeller, Dr. Miller, and Richter. (DX 250 at 4; D.E.
329 at 138). She has a B.A. in Education and a masters in Social Work, both from the
University of Kentucky. (DX 238 at 3). She is currently a human services consultant, with an
51
emphasis on child welfare. Id. at 1. P. Wilsons career in child welfare began in 1973 in
Kentucky, first as a front line caseworker, and later as a county office supervisor, working
primarily with foster children and parents. (D.E. 329 at 136-37). In 1992, she became a policy
and budget analyst and then a budget director in Kentuckys Cabinet for Families and Children
(Kentuckys HHSC). Id. at 135, 137. During this time, Dr. Miller was Secretary of Kentuckys
Cabinet for Families and Children, and P. Wilson was on Dr. Millers staff. See id. at 135.
Wilson also worked for two and a half years as a consultant and later as a regional director for
the CWLA. Id. at 137. She then worked for a year at a child caring/placing organization in
Tennessee before returning to Kentucky in 2007 to work as an executive advisor in its
Department of Community Based Services (essentially Kentuckys DFPS). (Id. at 135, 137-38;
DX 250 at 4). Between 2008 and 2011, she served as the commissioner of that agency. (D.E.
329 at 138). In that role, she was the number two person in Kentuckys Health and Social
Services System. (D.E. 320 at 8). P. Wilson stated at trial that, despite disagreeing with Dr.
Millers expert opinion, she respected Dr. Millers professional judgment. (D.E. 329 at 141-42).
Parts of P. Wilsons report provided little value to the Court. For instance, she
extensively analyzed DFPS based on the Child and Family Service Review seven indicators.
(DX 250 at 9-30). As discussed supra, Texass Review performance provides little relevant
evidence to this case. Supra pp. 27-28.
P. Wilsons credibility was also undermined by the revelation that under her leadership,
the Kentucky child welfare agency withheld records relating to Amy Dye, a nine-year-old girl
who died in an adoptive home. (See D.E. 320 at 11, 14, 17-19). The agency had apparently
approved the adoptive placement despite earlier reports of child abuse in the home. See id. at 14.
The agency also failed to properly investigate, and did not substantiate, multiple reports from
52
Amys school that she was being abused. Id. Following her death, the agency performed an
investigation (possibly based on an earlier report of abuse and neglect) and six months later
found only that Amys adoptive parents were guilty of being inattentive caregiver[s] and using
unusual discipline. Id. at 55-56. The agency took no further action in relation to children still
in that home. Id. at 56. Although the circumstances of Amys death are troubling, it is not clear
how much blame P. Wilson is to blame, even though she was Commissioner of Kentuckys
foster care system at that time. The Court does fault P. Wilson for her agencys refusal to release
to the public the records relating to Amys death, a decision which was at least in part P.
Wilsons. (D.E. 320 at 17). At trial, P. Wilson defended withholding the records even though it
violated Kentucky law. (D.E. 320 at 17); see also Courier-Journal, Inc. v. Cabinet for Health &
Family Servs., 2011 WL 2173921, at *1 (E.D. Ky. June 1, 2011). Kentucky newspapers had to
take the child welfare agency to court to force the release of Amys records. (D.E. 320 at 17).
The Kentucky court ordered the agency to release the records over P. Wilsons objections, fined
the agency, ordered it to pay the newspapers attorneys fees, and admonished the agency for
turning a blind eye to the child abuse that was reported prior to Amys death. Id. at 17-18.
The agency continued to withhold the records until the Governor of Kentucky ordered their
release. Id. at 18. P. Wilson then testified about transparency in child welfare investigations
before a joint committee of the Kentucky Legislature, where she said that, in Amys case,
Kentuckys child welfare system had not failed to operate according to the laws and rules of the
State. Id. at 18-23. Wilson further undermined her credibility when she said at the present trial
that foster care systems should not track child-on-child abuse, which is a critical aspect of foster
child welfare. Id. at 22-24; see also infra Section IV.B.1. For these reasons, the Court accords
lesser weight to P. Wilsons report and testimony.
53
Dr. Jane Burstain is Defendants expert on child welfare policy who primarily rebutted
the expert opinions of Zeller and Dr. Miller. (DX 251 at 2). Burstain joined DFPS after this case
was filed, and is currently the Director of Systems Improvement for CPS. Id. at 2-3. Burstain
has a B.S. in Finance from the University of Virginia, a J.D. from the UC Hastings College of
Law, and a Ph.D. in Policy Analysis from the Pardee RAND Graduate School. (DX 267 at 1).
She began her career in child welfare in 1999 as an attorney at the Childrens Law Center in Los
Angeles, California, where she represented children in child welfare proceedings and advocated
on their behalves for various social, mental, and educational services. Id. She left that position
in 2004 to pursue her doctorate. Id. After her doctorate, in 2008, she moved to Texas and joined
the Center for Public Policy Priorities as a policy analyst, where she, inter alia, researched and
wrote briefing papers and reports relating to policy and budget issues at DFPS. Id. In 2012, she
assumed her current position with DFPS. Id. She has authored or co-authored at least 16
articles, reports, and working papers in the field of child welfare. Id. at 5. In her current
position, Burstain considers herself and her ten staff akin to internal consultants. (D.E. 330 at
144). They analyze how CPS is operating, identify areas for improvement, create improvement
plans, and track how well those plans are followed and whether improvement occurs. Id. While
she and her staff are not subject matter experts, they take information from DFPSs subject
matter experts and work to turn that information into accessible department policy. See id. at
145. She reports to Cannata and previously reported to Black. Id.
Before Burstain joined CPS, she published several reports that were highly critical of
DFPS. At trial, she backtracked and glossed over many of her published comments. (See, e.g.,
D.E. 310 at 48-59; PX 1871-77). In her current position, Burstain has improperly manipulated
DFPS statistics and data. For example, to suppress primary caseworker caseload numbers,
54
Burstain included not only full-time primary caseworkers in her calculation, but also part-time
primary caseworkers, secondary workers (who do not have the responsibilities of primary
caseworkers), and fictional workers created out of all the overtime, which are not actually
even people. (D.E. 310 at 65-69). On another occasion, Burstain e-mailed DFPS employees to
suggest that four foster child deaths be re-characterized to negate the possibility of caregiver
negligence. (PX 1711). In that e-mail, Burstain highlighted three cases in which she thought
reasonable minds might disagree about whether the caregivers could have prevented the
deaths. Id. at 1. One of these cases involved a child with a diagnosed history of Schizophrenia
and Bipolar Disorder who hung herself in an RTC. Id. at 2. The child had recently been
hospitalized for two weeks for suicidal ideations and self-harming behaviors. The childs level
of care required RTC staff to check on her every 15 minutes during the night, but that night the
caregiver did not perform the routine checks. Id. Another case involved a three-month-old
infant with multiple medical problems, including obstructive sleep apnea and a smaller jaw that
affected her breathing. Id. at 3. That childs foster mother placed her on her side with a foreign
object (a vibrating pillow) in front of her and did not check on her for 30-75 minutes. Id. The
foster parent had been trained on safe sleep practices including the dangers of . . . placing an
infant in a face-down or side sleeping position and the dangers of placing foreign objects under
or around an infant when that infant is sleeping. Id. Besides the dubious implications of
Burstains request, it is unclear why, in her exclusively policy-related role at CPS, and with no
background in licensing or investigations, Burstain sent that e-mail in the first place. (D.E. 310
at 27-28, 39-41). Specia said he had no idea why Burstain inserted herself into this area.
(D.E. 299 at 24). The Court finds that Burstain was attempting to manipulate the States child
55
fatality statistics. In light of these incidents, the Court assigns lesser weight to Burstains expert
report and testimony.
5. Named Plaintiffs
The Court does not base any system-wide findings solely on the Named Plaintiffs
experiences in foster care. Their experiences, however, paint a similar picture: children often
enter foster care at the Basic service level, are assigned a carousel of overburdened caseworkers,
suffer abuse and neglect that is rarely confirmed or treated, are shuttled between placements
often inappropriate for their needsthroughout the State, are migrated through schools at a rate
that makes academic achievement impossible, are medicated with psychotropic drugs, and then
age out of foster care at the Intense service level, damaged, institutionalized, and unable to
succeed as adults. Numerous witnesses testified that the Named Plaintiffs experiences are
typical for children in Texass PMC. (See, e.g., D.E. 326 at 132-33, 216, 225; D.E. 323 at 18;
D.E. 324 at 215-17; D.E. 327 at 189-92). The Named Plaintiffs narratives are the lens through
which the Court viewed Plaintiffs systemic and class-wide evidence. The Court has written out
these lengthy narratives in part to establish a record, but also because these children have for too
long been forgotten.14 Their stories deserve to be told.
a. M.D.
M.D. is a class representative for the General Class and the Licensed Foster Care
Subclass. At the time of trial, M.D. was 17 years old. She was still in the States PMC, but her
whereabouts were unknown. She was presumed to be living on the street somewhere, in the
Houston area, over 200 miles away from her home community of Corpus Christi, Texas. (D.E.
14
(See PX 1966) (discussing Carole Keeton Strayhorn, Forgotten Children, A Special Report on the Texas Foster
Care System (2004)).
56
324 at 230). While in DFPSs custody, M.D. changed placements 19 times. Id. at 1 RFP CPS
175008-28, DFPS 009007116-17. On four separate occasions while in the States care, M.D.
was arrested and taken to juvenile detention facilities. Id. at DFPS #28544, #28574-75, #30210.
She was placed in psychiatric hospitals 11 times and went to emergency rooms twice for suicidal
ideations and cutting. Id. at DFPS #28399-428, DFPS 009007117-18, 009011721-819. Many of
M.D.s placements moved her far from her siblings, who were not in foster care, and her home
community. She had 16 different primary and secondary caseworkers. M.D. attended nine
schools over her seven years in State care. Id. at DFPS #28382, 28394, 28397; DFPS
009007119-20, 009008456-60. During fourth grade alone, she attended five different schools.
Id. at DFPS0098458-60.
M.D. and her siblings were raised by their maternal grandparents until they died in 2005.
Id. at DFPS #29816. The children then lived with their mother who had a history of drug use
with resulting jail and prison sentences. Their mother also had Bipolar Disorder. M.D.s father
lived in Mexico and was never involved in her life. In 2005, M.D.s mother tested positive for
illegal drugs. Id. at DFPS #29815-17. When CPS determined that the mother used marijuana
and cocaine in the home, CPS found Reason to Believe (RTB) neglectful supervision. The
mother was sentenced to seven years imprisonment by the State of Texas for testing positive for
drugs in violation of a prior probation. Id. at #29934. In February 2006, a maternal aunt took
custody of the children to prevent them from entering foster care. Id. at DFPS #29815-17.
M.D. had significant behavior problems while in her aunts care. M.D. was violent
toward her aunt, oppositional, and threatened to report fictitious claims of abuse to CPS. Id. at
DFPS009014656. In March 2007, at the age of ten M.D. was admitted to a psychiatric hospital
to determine if she qualified for long-term psychiatric care and to help her adjust to her
57
medication regimen. Id. at DFPS #29751. While there, M.D. claimed that her much older
cousin, who did not live in the aunts home, had been sexually abusing her for several years. Id.
at DFPS# 28220-29. The hospital reported this outcry to CPS. RCCL interviewed M.D. and
found RTB that she was sexually abused. Id. at DFPS #28277, #28283, #229847. M.D.s case
files do not indicate that any action was taken as a consequence.
After M.D. was released from the hospital to her aunt, she started acting out at school,
became defiant at home, and ran away. Id. at DFPS #282230-35. She was found by police and
while being transported back to her aunts, M.D. assaulted the officer, was arrested, and taken to
a juvenile detention center. M.D.s maternal aunt refused to take M.D. back in March 2007, and
formally relinquished custody of M.D. to CPS in August 2007. Id. at DFPS #28231, #29829-38.
Over the next five months, M.D. was placed in an emergency shelter, a psychiatric
hospital, and two different foster homes. She was removed from each foster home into hospitals
for self-harming behaviors. Id. at DFPS009011721-36. In November 2007, after her third
hospitalization, M.D. was placed in an RTC where she remained for over two years. Id. at
DFPS009011733. M.D.s behavior problems persisted at the RTC. In March 2009, she
assaulted a police officer and a teacher and was taken to a juvenile detention center for a night.
Id. at DFPS009012378. In August 2009, she was placed in psychiatric care. Id. at
DFPS009011739.
In April 2010, M.D. was again hospitalized, this time for intensifying behavioral
issues, which coincided with a medication change and the incarceration of her brother. Id. at 1
RFP CPS 143178. In May 2010, the RTC gave CPS a 30-day discharge notice because it
considered itself unequipped to handle her. Id. at DFPS009015051. M.D. was placed in another
58
hospital, and then moved to a different RTCs Intensive Psychiatric Transition Program.15 Id. at
DFPS009011755-59. While M.D. was in the Program, in July 2010, CPS terminated her
mothers parental rights. Id. at DFPS009007915. Soon after M.D. learned of the termination,
she became depressed and distanced herself from her peers, in contrast with her previously
social, outgoing demeanor. Id. at DFPS009019597, 009019892, 0090132396.
In August 2010, CPS moved M.D. to another RTC. Id. at DFPS009011763. A month
later, M.D. had two major incidents. She first attempted to pull pieces of the baseboard off the
wall and hurt herself. Id. at DFPS009015702. Second, she attacked an elderly teacher and
instigated what the RTC staff called a riot. Id. at DFPS009015730. In October, M.D.s level
of care was upgraded from Specialized to Intense. On October 31, 2010, she ran away from the
RTC. When she returned the next day, she reported being sexually assaulted and using alcohol
and marijuana while away from the RTC. (Id. at 1 RFP CPS 089285, DFPS #901163, #9011998,
#9012334; see also PX 2015 at 31-32 (filed under seal)). She was taken to Denton Regional
Hospital for a rape kit. (DX 120 at DFPS009015798-99 (filed under seal)). M.D.s case files do
not indicate the results.
Once back at the RTC, M.D. alleged that a staff member physically abused her during a
restraint. Id. at 1 RFP 1 RCCL 00611. A nurse at the RTC confirmed that M.D. had a bruise on
her back following the incident. Id. M.D. also alleged that the same staff member sexually
abused her and her roommate. Id. at 1 RFP 1 RCCL 00594-618. M.D. did not make the sexual
abuse outcry until a year later, by which time the RTC had closed after being put on Corrective
Action/Evaluation for improper Medication Storage, Destruction, and Medication Records,
15
An Intensive Psychiatric Transition Program is a 60-day program in an RTC designed to help children transition
into a less restrictive environment.
59
Serious Incident Documentation . . . , as well as de-escalation, and Post Discussions with
children in care. Id. at 1 RFP 1 RCCL 00597. The specific staff member had been fired for an
unrelated event. RCCL Ruled Out (R/O) M.D.s sexual abuse allegation based on a
preponderance of the information gathered because no outcries were made by the alleged
victims for a year. Id. at 1 RFP 1 RCCL 00604-05.
After another Intensive Psychiatric Transition Program, M.D. was moved to the Hector
Garza RTC. Id. at DFPS009011834-36. In April 2011, she and her roommate accused another
roommate of sexually abusing them at night between staff room checks. The allegations were
Ruled Out because staff conducted room checks every 15 minutes, and none of the children
had any history of sexually acting out or were under any special supervisory precautions. Id. at
DFPS009013763-64. M.D.s behavior deteriorated over the next two months. Id. at
DFPS009012238. She had to be physically restrained multiple times, sustaining injuries during
two of those restraints. M.D. told her caseworker that the RTC staff purposely provoked her,
hoped to see her fail, and were excessively rough during the restraints. Id. at DFPS009012239.
During M.D.s stay at Hector Garza, she and multiple other residents reported that one
staff member often sexually harassed them. Id. at DFPS009014015-22. On one occasion in June
2011, M.D. saw the staff member place his hand underneath her roommates bed covers while
the roommate was in bed. Id. at DFPS009014015. Three days after an investigation was
initiated, the staff member stopped coming to work. Id. at DFPS009014016. After he was fired
for not appearing at work, the sexual harassment investigation was terminated without any
findings. Id. at DFPS009014016-22. M.D. also accused a different staff member of physical
abuse, but RCCL Ruled Out any physical abuse based on lack of preponderance of the
evidence. Id. at DFPS009014023. The RCCL investigator based his finding in part on M.D.s
60
lack of bruising at the time of her interview and the Hector Garza staff saying that M.D. would
do anything to get moved out of the facility. Id.
In August 2011, M.D. was arrested for assaulting a teacher. Id. at DFPS009012249.
M.D. told the police that she preferred to remain [in jail] indefinitely rather than return to
Hector Garza. Id. at DFPS009012252. She told the police that the Hector Garza staff used
improper restraints, including placing their hands on residents faces and throwing them to the
ground. Id. at DFPS009093781. M.D. claimed her arms were bruised repeatedly from the
restraints. She also said the staff ignored residents fighting amongst themselves. M.D. said she
felt unsafe at Hector Garza. Id. As a result, Stukenberg, her next friend and attorney ad litem,
scheduled an emergency hearing to change her placement. Id. at DFPS009014022. At the
September 8 emergency hearing, the judge agreed that M.D. should not return to Hector Garza.
Id. When M.D. was released from juvenile detention on September 12, she was sent to an RTC
where she had previously lived for two months in 2010, and placed in its Intensive Psychiatric
Transition Program. Id. at DFPS009011783.
On September 20, after only one week at that RTC, M.D. accused a staff member of
sexually assaulting and raping her. Id. at DFPS009014041-42. A psychiatrist who interviewed
M.D. the following week believed that she was telling the truth. Id. at DFPS009014132. M.D.
also experienced extended vaginal bleeding for two weeks following the alleged incident, even
though her period had ended approximately three days prior. Id. at DFPS009014133, 1 RFP 1
RCCL 00201. The day of the alleged incident, the staff member in question left work early,
purportedly due to issues with his blood sugar. Id. at DFPS009014141. M.D.s caseworker was
aware that sexual abuse [was] not new at the facility. Id. at DFPS009014177. The police
stressed that M.D. should have a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner test immediately to aid a
61
possible criminal investigation. Id. at DFPS009014151. Yet by the time a doctor saw M.D. on
September 23, it was too late to administer the exam. Id. at DFPS009014149. The doctor
performed a vaginal exam instead, and did not observe any lacerations or tearing that would
indicate a violent crime. Id. The doctor observed vaginal bleeding but concluded that to be a
result of vaginitis. Id. It appears that a rape kit was done, but the results were never revealed to
M.D., her caseworker, or ad litem. Id. at 1 RFP 1 RCCL 00022, 00421-23. On September 26,
the RCCL investigator called the RTC to retrieve M.D.s clothes and linens for testing, but those
items had been washed. Id. at DFPS009014147. The RCCL investigator did not find a
preponderance of evidence that abuse occurred, but made an Unable to Determine (UTD)
disposition because he could not definitively rule out the allegations. Id. at DFPS009014154.
The staff member was offered his job back following the investigation, on the condition that he
never work in the female unit, which he declined. Id. at DFPS009014137.
During the investigation, M.D. complained to Stukenberg and her primary caseworker
that the RTC staff was covering for the staff member she accused of rape, and had begun to
retaliate against her. Id. at DFPS009014177, 009014185. In particular, one female staff
verbally harassed M.D., ordering M.D. to stop spreading rumors and stop telling everyone
about what happen[ed]. Id. at DFPS009014323-24. Beyond verbal abuse, that staff member
allegedly physically abused M.D. during a restraint. Id. at DFPS009014177, 009014185.
According to the intake report, the staff members inappropriate physical treatment of M.D.
and threats caus[ed] emotional injury that results in observable impairment to [M.D.s]
psychological functioning. Id. at DFPS009014177. RCCL Ruled Out these allegations because
there was not a preponderance of the evidence that abuse occurred. Id. at DFPS009014338.
62
Besides being mistreated by the RTC staff, M.D. was subjected to inappropriate living
conditions. When Stukenberg visited M.D. in October 2011, she observed that M.D. shared a
trailer with nine other girls, sharing a single shower and toilet even though regulations prohibit
more than eight girls to one shower or toilet. Id. at DFPS009014185. The trailer also smelled of
mildew and urine. Id. Stukenberg observed several other violations, such as only one staff was
assigned to the trailer, and there was a noticeable lack of training among all RTC staff. Id.
Stukenberg also noticed multiple self-inflicted cuts on M.D.s arms and legsincluding a
particularly deep one on her wristreportedly due to the stress caused by the rape and
consequent retaliation. Id. M.D. had not received medical attention for these lacerations. Id. at
DFPS009014177. Stukenberg reported to M.D.s caseworker that M.D. was not adequately
supervised and was denied medical care. Stukenberg told the caseworker, If [the RTC] had
been a parent the child would have been removed from the home immediately. Id. at
DFPS009014186.
RCCL investigated these allegations and determined that the RTC was deficient in its
showers and toilets. Id. at DFPS009014300-01. RCCL ordered Technical Assistance for the
RTC to meet legal requirements, but Ruled Out the allegations of neglectful supervision and
medical neglect. Id. at DFPS009014304-05, 009014317. That disposition was based largely on
the investigator not noticing a urine smell when visiting the trailer three days after the report. Id.
at DFPS009014317. When the investigator interviewed M.D., she recanted her allegations of
retaliation, neglect, and physical and verbal abuse against the staff. Id. at DFPS009014323. It is
impossible to determine from the record whether M.D. recanted because the allegations were
untrue, or because she wished to remain at the RTC, or believed recanting would stop the
63
retaliation. During the investigation, M.D. informed Stukenberg that she liked this current RTC
much more than Hector Garza and preferred to remain there. Id. at DFPS009014324-25.
Nonetheless, M.D. attempted to run away from that RTC in November 2011. She
reported to her ad litem that she and another girl were punished for the runaway attempt by being
forced to stand barefoot on milk crates for several hours and was told that her food portion would
be reduced. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 000005. After that, M.D. had more self-harm incidents. Her case
files, however, are relatively free of disciplinary incidents in 2012. See, e.g., id. at
DFPS009012204. By February 2013, she had made sufficient progress at the RTC and was
placed in a foster home (although her level of care remained Intense). Id. at DFPS009011791.
M.D. lasted less than a week at the foster home. She assaulted a ten-year old girl in the
home for telling the foster parents that M.D. had a consensual sexual relationship with an adult
male. Id. at DFPS009014351. M.D. was then placed in a psychiatric hospital for ten days. Id. at
DFPS009011795. Upon release, she moved to a different foster home where she tried to run
away daily. She also resumed harming herself, id. at DFPS009012094, which resulted in two
trips to the emergency room and another psychiatric hospital in March 2013. Id. at
DFPS009011803. Nonetheless, M.D.s behavior had apparently improved enough that DFPS
reduced her level of care from Intense to Specialized for the first time in two and a half years.
Id. at 1 RFP CPS 142883.
After this hospitalization, the foster home would not accept M.D. back, and her
caseworker needed to find her a new placement. She could not return to the RTC where she had
been less than two months earlier and had done well because it only took Intense-level children.
See id. at DFPS009011787. Instead, she was moved to the San Antonio State Hospital. Id. at
DFPS009011803, 009011807. While there, M.D. reportedly engaged in two incidents of
64
inappropriate sexual behavior with two female residents. DFPS investigated each allegation for
inadequate supervision by the staff. The first allegation was deemed not credible and ruled
Unconfirmed, the equivalent of Ruled Out. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 146463. The investigator
confirmed the second allegation, but did not find a preponderance of evidence that the
caretakers were guilty of inadequate supervision, resulting in an Inconclusive disposition, the
equivalent of Unable to Determine. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 146304.
M.D. was discharged from the San Antonio State Hospital on April 17, 2013. She was
sent back to the Hector Garza RTC despite her negative experiences there and her repeated pleas,
as well as a previous court order, to not return. See, e.g., id. at DFPS009012252. At trial,
Stukenberg testified that other RTCs did not want to take M.D. because she had previously made
outcries while in care, which RTCs view as a liability. (D.E. 324 at 225). During her second
stay at Hector Garza, M.D. admitted to abusing alcohol and marijuana. (DX 120 at 1 RFP CPS
177011 (filed under seal)). She was again subjected to inappropriate restraints. On May 18, a
staff member allegedly verbally provoked M.D. while taking her back to her room and then
pushed her into a wall. Id. at DFPS009012113. When M.D. resisted, the staff member
restrained M.D. by placing her face-down on the ground and pressing her elbow on M.D.s neck,
making it difficult to breathe. Id. M.D. was bruised on her neck and had a six-inch scratch from
the staff members ring, which M.D.s I See You worker16 observed during her visit two days
later. Id. Shortly after the incident, an RTC staff member told M.D.s primary caseworker that
no matter what M.D. did there is a proper way to restrain, just like in jail/prison guards have to
16
I See You workers, as well as Centralized Placement Unit (CPU) workers, are secondary workforces that assist
primary caseworkers. CPU workers do not interact with foster children; they only help find placements. I See You
workers only visit foster children once a month when primary caseworkers are too busy or too far away. They often
just show up at the childs placement, ask five questions and leave. See infra pp. 171-76.
65
act a certain way. Id. at DFPS009012112. M.D.s 33,000 pages of case files do not mention an
investigation of this improper restraint, or of the staff member being cited for it. For the second
time in two years, M.D. told her caseworker that she did not feel safe at Hector Garza. Id. at
DFPS009012131. Her behavior noticeably deteriorated. Id.
On September 13, 2013, a court ordered CPS to return M.D. to her mother, who had been
released from prison seven months before. Id. at DFPS009011998. In order to take custody of
her daughter, M.D.s mother needed to find appropriate housing. M.D.s mother needed copies
of M.D.s birth certificate and social security card to complete a housing application. Id. at
DFPS009012001-02. M.D.s mother repeatedly contacted CPS to obtain those documents, but a
new caseworker explained that she needed to speak to her supervisor. The Department
eventually refused to give copies to M.D.s mother, without explanation. Id. at
DFPS009012001-10. Internal emails suggest that CPS did not want to return M.D. to her mother
because the caseworkers did not believe that the mother could handle M.D. and that the mother
was a stressor to M.D. Id. at DFPS009011626, 009012005. On September 24, 2013,
Stukenberg requested an emergency hearing to get M.D. out of foster care. Id. at
DFPS009011998, 009012002. M.D. learned that CPS was not cooperating with her mother,
preventing M.D. from leaving Hector Garza. Id. On September 25, when her I See You worker
visited, M.D. appeared tired and was not her usual animated self, and had reportedly attacked a
peer and injured her own arm earlier that day. Id. On September 26, M.D. was taken off all of
her psychotropic medications because she refused to take them and instead gave them to the
other residents. Id. at DFPS009013482, 009012009.
On October 13, Hector Garza placed M.D. on close supervision because of her refusal to
take medication. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 177042. On October 17, M.D. met her new primary
66
caseworker for the first time and immediately asked about her old caseworker. Id. at
DFPS009012007-10. M.D.s previous caseworker had been one of the few constants in her life
for the previous four and a half years. Although M.D.s prior caseworker had not left CPS (she
was promoted), no one notified M.D. of the turnover. M.D. told her new caseworker that she
wished to live anywhere but in this placement. Id. On October 21, Hector Garza put in a 14-
day discharge notice for M.D. On October 25, M.D.s mother obtained an apartment, although
CPS still believed that reunification was not to [M.D.s] benefit based on M.D.s observed
behaviors following visits with her mother. Id. at DFPS009012013. Stukenberg continued to
push for reunification, which disconcerted DFPS. See id. at DFPS009011998, 009012002. It is
not clear from the record why CPS ignored a court order to reunite M.D. with her mother.
On October 27, M.D., upset because she had been unable to contact her mother that day,
destroyed furniture in her room and threatened another resident. Id. at DFPS009012012. Staff
also found a razorblade in her eyeglasses case. Id. On October 29, CPS decided to send her to a
Houston RTC. Id. at DFPS009011815. She was moved on November 5. Id. at
DFPS0091011819. During the move, M.D. showed her caseworker markings on her feet. Id. at
DFPS009012013. She told her caseworker that she had not received any medical treatment. Id.
She was not given any of her prescribed psychotropic medications at the new RTC because she
had refused to take them at Hector Garza. Id. at DFPS009011680.
The Houston RTC was not told about M.D.s history of running away and self-harming,
or that she had been off her medication for 30 days. (D.E. 324 at 227). She ran away from the
RTC within a week. Id. at 226-27. Soon after, the Houston Police Department found M.D. in a
park and returned her to the RTC. Id. at 227. M.D. said that she had been selling her body to
men for money. Id. Within two days of returning to the RTC, M.D. told Stukenberg that she
67
could not take it anymore and that she wanted to go back home to Corpus Christi. Id. at 227-
28. Stukenberg informed M.D. that she would do what she could and would request another
emergency hearing, but upon hanging up the phone M.D. ran away again. Id. at 228. During
M.D.s short stay in Houston, she received medical and sexually transmitted disease (STD) tests.
She tested positive for hypokalemia and pelvic inflammatory disease. (DX 120 at
DFPS009012017). The latter condition is often caused byand therefore an indication ofan
STD. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 177109. M.D. was also tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia. The
hospital never released the results of those exams to her caseworker or ad litem. Id. at
DFPS009012017. As of January 2014, the caseworker was still trying to obtain those test
results. Id. at DFPS009013507.
M.D. was found just before Thanksgiving in 2013. She was taken to a Houston CPS
emergency shelter, where she told the staff that she was high on crack and continuously said
that she wanted to go back to a man who was someone that makes money off of her by having
her sleep with other boys/men. (Id. at #1 RFP CPS 175293 (filed under seal); D.E. 324 at 228).
CPS staff allowed M.D. to leave within 15 minutes of her arrival at the shelter. (DX 120 at 1
RFP CPS 175293 (filed under seal)). Only after that incident did M.D.s case files state, If she
is found or returns she will need a secure facility to prevent further run aways [sic]. Id. at 1
RFP CPS 175295. The Houston Police Department handled M.D.s case as a sex trafficking
case. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 175308. In the summer of 2014, a national missing children organization
informed DFPS that M.D. may have been arrested by the police and that they might have her
address. (D.E. 324 at 229). M.D.s caseworker cautioned Stukenberg not to get her hopes up
because DFPS was not sure it was M.D., but upon seeing a picture, Stukenberg immediately
68
recognized M.D. Id. M.D.s caseworker apparently did not even know what her client look[ed]
like because neither the caseworker nor anyone else in her unit had ever met M.D. Id.
Despite having a possible address for M.D., the State declined to retrieve her. DFPS
refused to pick up M.D. without police assistance. In an appalling Catch-22, the Houston police
department would not pick M.D. up until DFPS found a placement for her, and DFPS could not
find a placement until M.D. was in State custody. Id. at 230. Stukenberg urged M.D.s
caseworker to go to her. Id. After approximately two weeks, CPS went to find M.D., but the
person who answered the door said that M.D. was no longer there. Id. M.D. has not been seen
nor heard from since. Id. On January 9, 2015, M.D. turned 18 and aged out of foster care.
When M.D. entered State PMC in January 2008, she was already in an RTC. (DX 120 at
DFPS #31586 (filed under seal)). From that date until she ran away in November 2013, M.D.
spent almost all of her time in RTCs. See, e.g., id. at DFPS #28393-97, 28403, 28419-34. For
the seven years she was in PMC, M.D. spent only 14 days in foster family homes.
DFPS009007116-17, 009011791, 009011799. Defendants and Plaintiffs experts agreed that
sexually abused children should live in single-child placements. (See D.E. 328 at 161; D.E. 329
at 161; D.E. 303 at 8). Yet neither of M.D.s foster homes in 2013 were single-child placements,
even though she had been sexually abused.
When the State assumed custody of M.D. in April 2007, her level of care was Basic. Id.
at DFPS009007116. Within four months her level of care rose to Specialized. Three months
later, her level of care rose to Intense. Id. Except for three months (August-October 2010,
March 2013), M.D.s level of care remained Intense over her eight years in DFPS custody. See
id. at DFPS009007116-17, 009020068, 1 RFP CPS 142883.
69
Coinciding with M.D.s rising levels of care, M.D. was steadily diagnosed with
psychological disorders and prescribed a litany of medication. In November 2007, after seven
months in foster care, M.D. was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress
Disorder (PTSD). Id. at DFPS009017082. In April 2008, M.D. was diagnosed with Attention
Deficient Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) and Oppositional Defiant Disorder. Id. at
DFPS009017394. In 2010, Impulse Control Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder were
added to the list. Id. at DFPS009014552. In 2011, Schizophrenia, Mood Disorder, and Conduct
Disorder. Id. at DFPS009014040. In 2013, Major Depressive Disorder, Mathematics Disorder,
and Disorder of Written Expression. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 142880.
M.D. was prescribed a pharmacy of psychotropic medications to treat these diagnoses,
including Adderall, Intuniv, Clonidine, Concerta, Vyvanse, Tenex, and Focalin17 for ADHD;
17
All of these drugs are used to treat ADHD or ADD. Adderall is also used to treat narcolepsy; Clonidine and
Tenex are also used to treat high blood pressure. Possible side effects of Adderall include bladder pain, bloody or
cloudy urine, fast irregular heartbeat, stunted growth, trouble breathing, aggression, seizures, numbness, muscle
twitches, changes in vision, unexplained muscle pain, stomach pain, weight loss, mood changes, nervousness, fast
heart rate, headache, dizziness, insomnia, and dry mouth. http://www.drugs.com/adderall.html (last viewed on July
27, 2015). Side effects of Intuniv include mild dizziness or drowsiness. http://www.drugs.com/intuniv.html (last
viewed on July 27, 2015). Side effects of Clonidine include urination problems, confusion, hallucinations, feeling
tired and irritable, mood changes and sleep problems. http://www.drugs.com/clonidine.html (last viewed on July 27,
2015). Side effects of Concerta include new or worsening symptoms such as mood swings, aggression, hostility, or
changes in personality or behavior, panic, delusion, extreme fear, hallucinations, unusual behavior, motor tics,
irritability, and insomnia. http://www.drugs.com/concerta.html (last viewed July 27, 2015). Side effects of Vyvanse
include confusion, paranoia, unusual thoughts or behavior and hallucinations. http://www.drugs.com/vyvanse.html
(last viewed on July 27, 2015). Side effects of Tenex include chest pains, lightheadedness, dizziness, drowsiness,
constipation, weakness, blurred vision, and confusion. http://www.drugs.com/tenex.html (last viewed on July 27,
70
Depakote and Divalproex18 for Bipolar Disorder; Fluoxetine (or Prozac), Celexa, and
Trazodone19 for Depression; Abilify, Risperdal, and Seroquel20 (all anti-psychotics) for
2015). Side effects of Focalin XR include headache, upset stomach, trouble sleeping, anxiety, and nervousness.
The label contains a warning to tell a doctor about any mental problems a child may have, or about a family history
of suicide, bipolar illness, depression, new or worse behavior or hostility and or new psychotic symptoms or new
manic symptoms. http://www.drugs.com/focalin.html (last viewed July 27, 2015). Most of these medications
should not be given to children under the age of six. Adderall, Focalin XR, Concerta, and Vyvanse are all central
nervous system stimulants that can be abused or lead to dependence.

18
Depakote and Divalproex are used to treat seizure disorders and bipolar depression. Common side effects include
liver and pancreas problems, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, headaches, drowsiness, dizziness, problems with
balance, blurred vision, dark urine, jaundice, mood changes, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, irritability,
hyperactivity, tiredness, confusion, delusions, nose bleeding, easy bruising, purple or red spots on skin, seizures,
inflammation, and bleeding gums. http://www.drugs.com/depakote.html (last viewed on July 27, 2015). Side
effects of Divalproex include stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, headaches, dizziness, and blurred vision.
http://www.drugs.com/divalproex-sodium.html (last viewed July 27, 2015).

19
Fluoxetine, Celexa, and Trazodone are all antidepressants. Fluoxetine is only supposed to be used after two other
medications have failed to treat depression. Common side effects include insomnia, strange dreams, headache,
dizziness, vision changes, tremors, anxiety, nervousness, upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dry mouth, flu
symptoms, and restlessness. http://www.drugs.com/fluoxetine.html (last viewed July 27, 2015). Common side
effects of Celexa include drowsiness, dizziness, weakness, anxiety, shakiness, insomnia, vision changes, nausea, loss
of appetite, diarrhea, constipation, dry mouth, cold symptoms, sweating, and weight changes.
http://www.drugs.com/celexa.html (last viewed July 27, 2015). Side effects of Trazodone include drowsiness,
dizziness, vision changes, lightheadedness, and dry mouth. http://www.drugs.com/trazodone.html (last viewed July
27, 2015).
20
All three drugs are used to treat schizophrenia in children (generally over the age of 13) and adults. Abilify is also
used to treat bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder in adults and to treat irritability, symptoms of
aggression, mood swings, and temper tantrums related to autism in children who are at least six years old. Side
71
Schizophrenia, Depression, and Bipolar Disorder; and Trileptal21 for mood disorders. She often
took five or six medications at a time. (PX 2015 at 34, 49 (filed under seal)). According to
Carter, M.D.s problems are likely not solvable by medication. In his view, the State over-relied
on psychotropic drugs and overmedicated M.D. Id. at 49.
M.D.s numerous placement changes caused absences and disruption in her schooling.
M.D.s academic performance declined, mostly due to her disruptive classroom behaviors, but
also because she missed school time with every placement change and psychiatric
hospitalization. Carter evaluated M.D. in October 2012, when she was 15 years old. He found
that her overall academic abilities were on the third to fifth grade level. M.D. told Carter that the
very thought of attending a normal school made her nervous because virtually all of her
education to that point had been within RTCs. (PX 2015 at 28 (filed under seal)). M.D. passed
the ninth and tenth grade in special education classes. (DX 120 at DFPS009007110, 009007119
(filed under seal)). She was placed in 11th grade in August 2013 at a charter school at her RTC,
but refused to attend. She was moved to a public high school when her placement changed in
November 2013, but only attended one day before she ran away. Id. at DFPS009007120. The
effects include severe agitation, distress, or restlessness. http://www.drugs.com/abilify.html (last viewed on July 27,
2015). Risperdal is also used to treat symptoms of bipolar disorder in adults and symptoms of irritability in autistic
children. Possible side effects include aggressive behavior, agitation, anxiety, restlessness, depressed mood,
inability to concentrate, increase in amount of urine, constipation, diarrhea, and trouble sleeping.
http://www.drugs.com/risperdal.html (last viewed July 27, 2015). Side effects of Seroquel include dizziness,
drowsiness, and loss of energy. http://www.drugs.com/seroquel.html (last viewed July 27, 2015).
21
Trileptal is an anticonvulsant, or antiepileptic drug that works by decreasing nerve impulses that cause seizures.
Side effects include dizziness and drowsiness. People with depression and mood disorders are advised to tell their
doctors before taking Trileptal. http://www.drugs.com/trileptal.html (last viewed on July 1, 2015).
72
school was still looking at her records to determine which grade level she would be placed.
M.D. later told her caseworker that one reason she ran away was her discouragement at being
placed in the ninth grade again. Id. at DFPS009007110.
A review of M.D.s stay in PMC exemplifies many of the problems that Named Plaintiffs
alleged about Texas foster care. On multiple occasions M.D. alleged physical, sexual, and verbal
abuse. Many allegations received cursory reviews, with RCCL terminating investigations
without gathering important facts. Other allegations were not investigated at all. M.D.s living
conditions often violated DFPS regulations. Because of Texass inadequate placement array,
M.D. returned to the Hector Garza RTC in 2013. An untimely caseworker turnover coincided
with her return to Hector Garza. In addition, DFPS failed to reunite M.D. with her family
despite a court order to do so, which contributed to her running away. When M.D. was found,
miscommunications between her ad litem, her new caseworker, her shelter home, and the
Houston Police Department allowed her to run away for good. Unfortunately, as Carter testified
and the Court so finds, M.D.s experience is typical . . . of the entire foster care system in the
State of Texas, especially in the PMC. (See D.E. 326 at 132-33, 194).
b. D.I.
D.I. is a class representative for the General Class and the Licensed Foster Care Subclass.
At the time of trial, D.I. was 12 years old. (D.E. 215 at 3). He became involved with DFPS in
2007 at age six when DFPS received reports of neglect by his mother, a drug addict. D.I. ran
away from home in 2008, prompting DFPS to institute a safety plan, though he remained with
his mother. In 2009, DFPS removed him from his home after the safety plan failed to end D.I.s
abuse and neglect. He was first placed with a relative in an arrangement that was intended to be
permanent, but he was removed in June 2010 because that relative could not manage his
73
behavior. (PX 185 at 4236 (filed under seal)). In April 2009, D.I. received a psychological
evaluation. Id. at 2202. The psychologist found that D.I. was having emotional and behavioral
problems, both, at a level of mild clinical significance and that he displayed highly significant
aggressive behaviors, attention problems, conduct problems and social problems and significant
problems related to rule-breaking behavior, ADHD symptoms, oppositional defiant disorder
symptoms and mildly significant affective/depressive symptoms and anxiety problems. Id. at
2208. D.I. denied experiencing suicidal or homicidal ideations, though, and did not appear to
experience auditory or visual hallucinations. Id. at 2207.
D.I. entered the States PMC on March 8, 2010 at a Basic-level of care. Id. at 1968,
2122. In June 2010, he was placed by the Bair Foundation, a CPA, in a foster group home. Id.
at 417. In his first month there, two older boys in the home, aged 16 and 17, sexually abused
him on at least three occasions involving oral and anal sex. He was eight years old. Id. at 28-29.
Each incident of abuse occurred at night in the boys bedroom, while the sole caregiver was
asleep on an air mattress in the downstairs living room. Id. at 56. The caregiver in the foster
group home was unaware of this sexual abuse until one of the older boys confessed. Id. at 48.
The 16-year-old who initiated the abuse had entered foster care due to being sexually abused by
his father. Id. at 54. In 2007, he had sexually abused a younger child with special needs in a
different foster home. Id. The CPAs case files contained information about the 16-year-olds
history of being sexually abused but made no mention of him abusing others. Id. at 3, 54.
During the investigation into this incident, the 16-year-olds primary caseworker told the
RCCL investigator that the CPA should have been aware of the 2007 incident and that this
incident was similar to the previous incident. Id. at 54. The caretaker informed the investigator
that he knew the 16-year-old had been abused by his father and that he had concerns that D.I. and
74
the 16-year-old would play together so much, since the two children have a significant age
difference. Id. at 50, 54. Further, CPS notes state that the 17-year-old, is a homosexual and
has regular HIV tests and that therefore new testing will be done on all three boys. Id. at 18.
There is no mention in D.I.s case files of HIV testing.
D.I.s caseworker told the RCCL investigator that while D.I. never made a sexual abuse
outcry, he had previously made a joke at school of a sexual nature, which caused her to be
concerned that D.I. may have been sexually abused. Id. at 55. According to D.I.s caseworker,
after spilling ketchup at school D.I. said, this is what happens to my butt. Id. The caseworker
she spoke to D.I. about that statement, and told her he was only joking. Id. at 55. D.I.s case
provides an example of DFPS mixing ages and not providing 24/7 care.
Following the investigation, RCCL confirmed that the sexual encounters occurred, but
Ruled Out all allegations of neglectful supervision and sexual abuse. Id. at 58. The investigator
noted several factors that led to a Ruled Out disposition as to neglectful supervision, including:
The sexual encounters between the children most likely occurred late at night when the children
were believed to be asleep; the caregiver was likely asleep at the time of the sexual
encounters; the caregiver reported that for the month of June he slept on an air mattress in the
downstairs living room so that he could provide increased supervision for a child who was a
runaway risk; None of the children in the home were known by The Bair Foundation to have a
history of sexually acting out with one another or of sexually abusing other children; and the
caregiver did not have any information that would have led him to believe that the children
were engaging in sexual activity. Id. The investigator also Ruled Out the sexual abuse
allegations, despite confirming that the incidents indeed occurred, because there was not a
preponderance of the evidence that abuse occurred. Id. The RCCL supervisor agreed with the
75
investigators disposition decisions, commenting: [Neither] Foster parent nor CPA had
knowledge that either of the children involved had [history] of [sexual] acting out, even though
[illegible] reported that [16-year-old] had an incident of [sexual] acting out in a previous
[placement]. Id. at 5. This appears to be a set pattern of DFPSs investigations of abuse in care.
First, DFPS refuses to document or recognize child-on-child abuse. (See PX 1026 at 5; D.E. 300
at 47-48; D.E. 303 at 6-8). Second, even when a child is abused in foster care, the standards for
finding that abuse occurred are impossibly difficult. It appears that, unless witnessed by an adult
who admits seeing the abuse and thereafter refuses to do anything about it, the preponderance of
evidence standards cannot be met. Children are interviewed and discounted. Adults are
similarly discounted. The disposition of the sexual abuse of D.I. as Ruled Out is based on DFPS
determining that child-on-child abuse findings would result in labeling one child a perpetrator.
(PX 185 at 58 (filed under seal)). Certainly each childs caseworker should have been aware of
the sexualization of these three boys and, as both Defendants and Plaintiffs agree, immediately
placed them in single-child placements. (Id; see also D.E. 328 at 161; D.E. 329 at 161; D.E. 303
at 8). Instead, the only action recommended in the investigation report was [r]outine
monitoring. This Dickensian approach to child abuse keeps the confirmed reports of abuse in
care findings artificially low.
The Bair Foundation instituted an identical safety plan for the 16 and 17-year-old,
requiring the caregiver to: have each of the youths within hearing and seeing distance at all times
during waking hours; check on each of the youths at least 3-4 times each night; and prohibit the
youths from sharing a room with other children in the home. Id. at 104. Six months after the
incident was reported, the same RCCL investigator completed his investigation of the Bair
Foundation, finding no minimum standard deficiencies. Id. at 66-67. Specifically, the Bair
76
Foundation was found to be in compliance with the following standards: Adhere to the childs
rights to be free of abuse, neglect, and exploitation as defined in Texas Family Code 261.401;
The caregiver is responsible for being aware of and accountable for each childs on-going
activity; and The caregiver is responsible for ensuring each childs safety and well-being
including auditory and/or visual awareness of the child. Id. at 67. Neither the Bair Foundation
nor the foster group home was penalized or admonished in connection with this incident.22
DFPS instituted no internal changes after this incident.
After that incident, D.I. was removed to an emergency respite placement and then to
another foster homestill not a single child placement. Id. at 109. D.I. received a psychosocial
assessment on September 8, 2010, which inexplicably stated that he was removed from his
previous placement due to problems getting along with the older foster kids in the home. Id. at
2501. The assessment made no mention of D.I.s sexual abuse history. See id. at 2501-02. Two
weeks later, D.I. was hospitalized for a week due to behaviors and suicidal ideation. Id. at
2489, 2492. On D.I.s Common Application for Placement of Children in Residential Care
form,23 filled out by his primary caseworker in November 2010, more than four months after he
22
The Bair Foundation had its license placed on probation the following year for unrelated reasons. (PX 978 at 1).
23
Foster childrens Common Applications contain detailed information about the children and are provided by
DFPS to a CPA or residential facility to allow the CPA or facility to determine whether they can meet the childs
needs. Before placing a child with Moderate, Specialized, or Intense service needs, a CPS caseworker must provide
the childs full Common Application to the facility. (PX 50 at 80). When placing a child with only Basic needs, or
in case of an emergency placement, the caseworker need only provide an abridged version of the Common
Application at the time of the placement, but must provide the full form within 30 days of the placement. Id. at 81.
Although a facility may complete the Common Application on its own, it is ultimately the CPS caseworkers
responsibility to ensure its completeness and accuracy. See id.
77
was abused, marks his sexual abuse history as unknown. Id. at 384. On that same form, the
caseworker noted, Recently child was involved with a problem at a previous foster home that
included participating in sex with other children in the home. Id. at 382.
D.I. received another psychological evaluation in December 2010. Id. at 2482-91. That
evaluation was significantly worse than his 2009 evaluation. D.I. had an elevated score on the
Anxiety Scale (94th percentile) and the Depression Scale (96th percentile). Id. The psychologist
noted that the clinically elevated anxiety score may reflect the presence of an anxiety disorder
and may reflect posttraumatic fears associated with previous victimization. Id. During the
evaluation, D.I. endorsed that lots of times he wants to hurt himself and that . . . lots of times
he wants to kill himself. Id. Further, the evaluation states under the heading Notable Item
Responses, that D.I. responded true to many troubling statements, including:
(8) I have thought about killing myself, . . . (12) I hear voices that others dont
hear, . . . (22) I keep thinking about something terrible that happened to me, . . .
(37) I feel very, very sad, (38) People say I see things that arent there, . . . (41)
There are voices in my head that tell me to do silly or bad things, . . . (46) Things
in my life go from bad to worse, . . . (52) I have tried to hurt myself, . . . and (54) I
am afraid of some of the ideas I have in my head.
Id. at 2487.
Once again, there is no indication that D.I., who was repeatedly sexually abused while in
foster care, and became sexualized as a result, was ever placed in a single-child home. In fact,
the department did everything it could to cover up that D.I. was sexually abused, from ruling out
sexual abuse allegations, to referring to his rape in his case files as problems getting along with
the older foster kids, sexual behavior, a sexual act with some boys, and participating in sex
with other children in the home. Instead of placing D.I. in a single-child home, CPS placed him
next in a home with another child who had a sexual abuse history. Id. at 193. That child accused
D.I. of attempting to have sex with her although she later admitted to her therapist that she had
78
tried to initiate sexual contact with D.I. but was not able to do so. Id. Neither child was removed
from that placement.
On October 24, 2012, D.I. was adopted. Id. at 2883. D.I. spent less time in PMC than
any of the other Named Plaintiffs. Over his three years in care, D.I. had two primary
caseworkers, although he did have the same caseworker during his entire time in PMC. See id. at
659-74. He also only changed schools once during that time. Id. at 1983-84. In early 2012, D.I.
was in the third grade and passing all of his classes, although he had behavior problems and often
disrupted class or tried to distract other students. See id. at 2058, 2096, 2100, 2111. Since being
adopted, D.I. has engaged the five-year-old grandchild of his adoptive mother in sexually
inappropriate conduct on more than one occasion, mostly recently in March and August 2014.
(D.E. 326 at 113; DX 262 at 57 (filed under seal)). D.I. was placed in the Behavioral Hospital of
Bellaire from November 18 to December 9, 2014, for aggression. (PX 2171 at 2-3 (filed under
seal)). According to the Bellaire discharge report, dated December 9, 2014, D.I. was diagnosed
as a sexual abuse victim and perpetrator. Id. at 2. Carter found that D.I. is still affected by the
injury that he suffered while in Texass PMC. (D.E. 326 at 190-91). Carter testified that D.I.
continues to be a very disturbed boy, is heavily sexualized, and a high risk for sexually
harming children. Id. at 191. Unfortunately, as Carter testified and the Court so finds, D.I.s
experience is typical . . . of the entire foster care system in the State of Texas, especially in the
PMC. See id. at 132-33, 194.
c. S.A.
S.A. is a class representative for the General Class and the Licensed Foster Care
Subclass. At the time of trial, S.A. was 18 years old and living in a shelter after aging out of
PMC. (See DX 120 at DFPS009035700-10 (filed under seal)). She is one of the 1300-1400
79
children who age out of PMC each year. She first came into Texas foster care at the age of five
when her adoptive mother was arrested on outstanding warrants trying to cross into Mexico with
her boyfriend, a registered sex offender.24 See id. at DFPS #48573, #48597. Within four months
of entering foster care, she made her first sexual abuse outcry, reporting anal penetration by an
older male foster child. (See D.E. 326 at 192; D.E. 325 at 23-24; DX 120 at DFPS008344565,
00903674, 1 RFP CPS 155128 (filed under seal)). After this abuse was reported, RCCLs only
response was to request that the Bair Foundation (the CPA that placed S.A. in that foster home)
complete an internal investigation. (DX 120 at DFPS008344565 (filed under seal)). This
investigation was labeled Priority 3, meaning that it related to minor violations of the law or
minimum standards that involve low risk to children. Id. According to that report, the CPA
performed an internal investigation but did not cite any non-compliances and planned no
further action. Id. at DFPS008344566. It is hard to imagine that a five-year old could have any
frame of reference to fabricate anal penetration. There is no evidence in S.A.s 33,000 pages of
case files that she was interviewed regarding these allegations or that she received any type of
physical examination or medical treatment in connection with these allegations. It does not
appear that RCCL conducted any independent investigation or follow-up in regard to these
allegations. Because RCCL allows CPAs to keep their own files, the records of the CPAs
internal investigation are not in her IMPACT25 or External26 case files. Therefore, no subsequent
caseworker would have this information.
24
The record is unclear whether S.A. was sexually abused before coming into foster care in Texas.
25
IMPACT, or Information Management for the Protection of Adults and Children in Texas, is an automated
system, included in childrens case files, in which DFPS staff record casework related activities. DFPS Handbook
1181, http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/handbooks/cps/files/CPS_pg_1170.asp (last visited December 14, 2015).
80
Although the CPA Ruled Out abuse based on its internal investigation, S.A.s foster
parents asked that she be removed to ensure her safety and [prevent] any possible contact
between her and the other child. Id. DFPS #49623. Approximately a month later, S.A. was
moved to an emergency shelter in an RTC. Id. at DFPS #49624-5. After S.A.s sexual abuse
outcry, she began exhibiting frequent, uncontrollable, and extreme tantrums where she tried to
hurt herself and others. Id. at DFPS #49622, #48997. A week after the outcry, S.A. was
hospitalized due to those behaviors. See id. at DFPS008344565. Throughout her time in care,
she repeatedly reported being uncomfortable around and distrustful of older, especially male,
children, and male adults. See, e.g., id. at DFPS #49435-36, #49438-40, #49464. S.A told her
caseworker that she did not trust CPS to keep her safe. Id. at DFPS #49435. There are
mentions throughout her records that she received therapy to address past sexual abuse. S.A.
entered PMC at the age of six in late 2002, already exhibiting sexual acting out, which was
graded as extreme. Id. at DFPS009037819.
Expert and fact witnesses for both parties testified that once children are sexually abused,
or sexualized, that behavior is ongoing and destructive to themselves as well as to the other
children with whom they come in contact. (See D.E. 299 at 36, 70-71; D.E. 303 at 8; D.E. 304 at
51; D.E. 326 at 15-16, 105-06, 113-15, 162-63; D.E. 328 at 161). As discussed infra, because
DFPS does not track child-on-child abuse in an aggregate or centralized manner, it is possible
that these children will again be placed with the same children who participated in their earlier
sexualization. See Section IV.B.1. Although Defendants and Plaintiffs experts agreed that
26
External case files contain supporting case documentation that cannot be entered or uploaded into the IMPACT
system, including paper documents, spreadsheets, photographs, computer disks, audio tapes, and video tapes. DFPS
Program Handbook 5212, http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/handbooks/aps/files/APS_pg_5200.asp (last visited
December 14, 2015).
81
sexually abused children should live in single-child placements, none of S.A.s 13 foster homes
was a single-child placement. (See D.E. 328 at 161; D.E. 329 at 161; D.E. 303 at 8).
S.A. is one more child that entered the foster care system at a Basic-level of care and
exited from an RTC some 13 years later, severely damaged. She had over 45 placement changes
and lived in at least 33 different placements throughout the State. (D.E. 325 at 21-22; see DX
120 at DFPS009030795-96 (filed under seal)). Many of these placements were in psychiatric
hospitals where she was restrained and heavily medicated. Several of these placements were
inappropriate, some lasting as little as two days. She was shuttled between different placement
types including foster homes, restrictive RTCs, and emergency shelters. The reason for moving
S.A. was generally a decreased level of care or displaying aggressive and self-abusive behavior.
(See DX 120 at DFPS #48435-568, #48993-99, #49002-21, #49495, DFPS009030795-96 (filed
under seal)). Because of the significant amount of time that she spent in RTCs, at the age of 17
S.A. did not have basic adult living preparation skills, and did not know how to wash dishes or
set a table. Id. at DFPS009035666.
S.A.s longest stay at a placement was at the Hill Country Youth Ranch (HCYR) RTC
in Ingram, Texas, where she was placed in December 2003. Id. at DFPS #49008, #48716. In
July 2004, her service plan indicated that DFPS would look at placing [S.A.] in another RTC
since she has made minor improvement and the current facility staff feel there is no more that
[S.A.] can benefit from their program. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 177486. However, the department did
not remove her from that RTC until nearly three years later, in April 2007, because her level of
care was reduced. Id. at DFPS #49103. By then the placement change appears to have been
contrary to S.A.s needs. By 2007, S.A. had made remarkable progress socially, emotionally,
and academically at the RTC and appeared to finally have some stability in her life. See id. at
82
DFPS009043113-14, 009043119-20. Although her improvement was significant, multiple
professional staff members at the RTC, including the school director, believed that she should
not have been removed when she was, especially in the abrupt manner in which CPS conducted
the removal. See id. In letters to a Cameron County district judge, the staff members said they
were shocked and saddened by [S.A.s] sudden removal and admonished CPS for their failure
to fully consider the propriety of the removal. Id. In her letter, the RTC school director wrote:
I am unclear as to how the decision to remove [S.A.] was made, and I do not
know who made it or the criteria used to reach this judgment. I was informed of
her impending removal this morning immediately before her departure. In the
midst of many tears and much confusion, we attempted to say our goodbyes and
to provide her with some measure of support and comfort.
It was and still is painful to think that this child was removed from a positive and
fruitful program that was clearly advantageous to her.
I truly have no words to describe the depth of my objections to this decision, as

well as my disappointment at the manner in which her removal was done.
This child may have been well-served if the person or persons making placement
decisions would have sought and obtained objective data and information from
the staff who were effectively working with her.
Sadly, her amazing struggles, effort and eventual success were dismissed and
disrespected in this life-changing decision.
Id. at DFPS009043119-20 (emphasis added). One of her former instructors stated that S.A. had
made much progress after a very difficult beginning and was not ready to be taken from here.
Id. at DFPS009043114. The instructor further stated that she was disappointed that S.A. was
being removed just as she was showing improvement, and . . . starting to blossom. Id.
After this removal, S.A. was placed in a therapeutic foster group home that lasted only
two days because she became violent and defiant. Id. at DFPS #48716. She was removed to
another therapeutic foster home where she remained for 11 days before being admitted to a
psychiatric hospital for self-abusive and suicidal behavior. Id. While in this hospital a
83
psychologist evaluated S.A. and noted that she had become too aggressive and assaultive and
was considered to be dangerous to the other children in the home and that she had a history of
not getting along with other children in foster homes. Id. at DFPS #52873-74. That
psychologist determined that she was unable to live in a community setting and recommended
she be placed in an RTC to meet her level of care, which was up to Specialized. Id. at DFPS
#52876-77. In spite of the psychologists recommendations, S.A. was again placed in a
therapeutic foster home with other children. Id. at DFPS #48810, #49500. This placement lasted
six days, as she became confrontational, taunting, and negative, particularly toward the other
children in the home, and ended with her readmission to a psychiatric hospital after an episode of
uncontrollable yelling, screaming, and crying. Id.
S.A. had many other inappropriate placements throughout her time in care. For example,
after several failed foster home placements, S.A. was placed in an RTC in July 2007. In
September 2007, S.A.s I See You caseworker was concerned about S.A.s continued restraint
pattern and that the RTC staff did not appear to be dealing with her behaviors very well. Id. at
DFPS #49505-06. Earlier that same month her caseworker observed and reported that S.A. was
being inappropriately restrained in that RTC when a staff member bent and pushed S.A.s arms
backward to the point that the caseworker was concerned that her shoulders/arms would be
pulled out of [their] sockets or her elbows broke[n]. Id. at DFPS #49507. The caseworker
noted that she thought the RTC was unable to provide for S.A.s needs at that time and an RCCL
investigator who visited S.A. concluded that she did not belong at that RTC. Id. There is
nothing in S.A.s files, though, about the outcome of that investigation or whether the offending
staff member was ever admonished for the improper restraint. S.A. was not removed from that
RTC until December of that year. See id. at DFPS #49045, #49511-18.
84
As another example of an inappropriate placement, in mid-2010 S.A.s psychological
evaluation stated that, because she was vulnerable to self-destructive and aggressive behaviors,
she required ongoing placement in a locked facility to help manage her mood and behavior.
Id. at DFPS009041897. Yet, two months later, she was placed in a therapeutic foster home. Id.
at DFPS #49087. After approximately four months, which included almost daily emotional
breakdowns and two psychiatric hospitalizations, she was moved to a new RTC. See id. at DFPS
#49087-94, #49403-13. Finally, in October 2011, she was returned to HCYR RTC where she
had previously been successful, but her evaluating psychologist noted that she was increasingly
aggressive especially toward young children and habitually tried to hurt herself and others. Id.
at 1 RFP CPS 006986. This psychologist recommended that she be placed either with a family
trained in appropriate techniques without any other children or an RTC where there is a high
level of restriction, rules, consequences, structure, routine, emotional support, modeling, praise,
and help with academic, developmental, and psychiatric needs. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 006992. This
psychologist recommended that DFPS make every effort to NOT move [S.A.] again before she
is an adult. Id. Nonetheless, a week later S.A. was moved to a different RTC for two weeks,
whereupon she was placed in another psychiatric hospital. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 177322-23. In July
2012, she was moved to a therapeutic foster home that had other foster children. Id. at 1 RFP
CPS 177980, 1 RFP RCCL 03635.
Along with the many placement changes, S.A. experienced a revolving door of
caseworkers. She had approximately 28 different primary and secondary caseworkers. See id. at
DFPS009033366-942. Her records reflect that she was often upset to learn she had a new
primary caseworker, and usually her previous caseworker left without giving her notice. See,
e.g., id. at DFPS #49437, #49439. During her first few years in foster care, her caseworkers
85
visited her in person only four times a year. See id. at DFPS #48689, 1 RFP CPS 177485. In
2005, an I See You worker began to visit S.A. on roughly a monthly basis. S.A. would
sometimes go several months without any contact with her primary caseworker and would
complain about this to her various I See You workers. See, e.g., id. at DFPS #49386, #49511,
#49516, #49519. At least once when her primary caseworker changed without any notice, S.A.
continued to try to contact the former caseworker without any response. Id. at DFPS #49519.
Eventually, after months without contact from her primary caseworker, one of her I See You
workers checked IMPACT and discovered that her primary caseworker had changed. Id.
Throughout her time in care, several possible adoptive placements never materialized, in
part due to significant paperwork delays. See, e.g., at DFPS #49445-61, #49535. The most
common obstacle in placing S.A. with potential adoptive families was her caseworkers failure to
update her health, social, educational, and genetic history report (HSEGH). This report must
be shown to prospective adoptive parents before any adoption can go forward. (See id. at DFPS
# 49123; PX 1964 at 22). The delays appear largely attributable to a frequent turnover in her
primary caseworkers. (See DX 120 at DFPS #49450 (filed under seal)).
In May 2005 and again in February 2009, delays in updating her HSEGH derailed several
possible adoptive placements. See id. at DFPS #48694, #49445-61, #49535. S.A. experienced a
significant amount of worry and anxiety throughout the potential adoption delays, and the
continued failure to update the reports was particularly devastating for her. See id. at DFPS
#49436-41, DFPS #49447-48. In spite of this, she continued to hold out hope of being adopted.
See, e.g., id. at DFPS #49366-67, #49475, #49491. In 2011, a psychologist noted in his
evaluation of S.A. that her prior failed adoptions was one of her major psycho-social stressors
and that her behavior became increasingly worse after this. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 006986-90.
86
S.A. significantly deteriorated while in care, as reflected in her psychological evaluations.
Shortly after entering State custody, she received an initial psychological screening and was
provisionally diagnosed with Disruptive Behavior Disorder, but no learning disorders, ADHD, or
PTSD. Id. at DFPS #52311, #52321. She received a full psychological evaluation in early 2002,
which found that her intellectual functioning was approximately in the upper end of the Low
Average range, which was likely an underestimate of her actual intellectual level of
functioning. Id. at DFPS00941860. At that time, she was diagnosed with ADHD and
Intermittent Explosive Disorder. Id. at DFPS00941861. In her psychological evaluation in late
2003, she was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, mixed with psychotic features, ADHD, Reading
Disorder, Mathematics Disorder, and Disorder of Written Expression. Id. at DFPS009041870.
By early 2004, S.A. was additionally diagnosed with PTSD and Reactive Attachment Disorder.
Id. at DFPS009043286. Her psychosocial stressors included potential sexual molestation and
failed placements. Id. In July 2005, a psychologist diagnosed her with Cyclothymic Disorder
and Oppositional Defiant Disorder, and said she was susceptible to a full-blown mood disorder
such as Bipolar Disorder II or Major Depressive Disorder. Id. at DFPS009041874. In April
2007, shortly after she was removed from HCYR RTC, a hospital psychologist concluded that
S.A. was a danger to herself and others and that she should be committed for long-term
psychiatric care. Id. at DFPS009041884. At this psychiatric admission, she was diagnosed
with Bipolar Disorder, Conduct Disorder, and Dysthymia. Id. at DFPS009041879-83. In 2008,
she was diagnosed with all of the above plus ADHD and Impulsive Disorder. Id. at DFPS
#52113. By this point, S.A. was prescribed Lithium Carbonate,27 Trileptal, Risperdal, and
27
Lithium is used to treat manic symptoms. The many potential side effects include extreme thirst, weakness,
restlessness, confusion, vision problems, lightheadedness, fainting, hallucinations, seizures, fever, nausea, vomiting,
87
Vyvanse, to help improve mood swings, sleep, attention and to reduce aggression, hyperactivity
and impulsivity. Id. In 2009, S.A. reported during a psychological evaluation that she cannot
sleep and has bad dreams every other night in which she gets killed, that she has felt so sad
that she no longer wanted to live, and that she tried to kill herself twice using a knife and a
piece of glass. Id. at DFPS009041886.
During her 2010 psychological evaluation, S.A. denied that any happy things [had] ever
happened to her and described her mood as depressed. Id. at DFPS009041893-94. The
psychologist at that time found that her intellectual functioning appeared to be in the borderline
to possibly mildly mentally retarded range and that her overall functioning is very impaired.
Id. at DFPS009041896. The psychologist was concerned that S.A.s intellectual functioning
could deteriorate even further to a level of clear mild mental retardation. The psychologist
noted, In the past she was described to be functioning higher. Id. at DFPS009041896. The
psychologist further noted that S.A. has a long history of rejection, abandonment, and betrayal
by others, which as a result has significantly interfered with her capacity to trust others and
develop meaningful human relationships. Id. The psychologist observed that S.A. saw other
humans as perpetrators and irritants. Id.
Her next psychological evaluation in 2011 noted that she displayed regressed emotional
functioning and that her behavior had not improved over the past year. Id. at 1 RFP CPS
006986. At this point S.A. was 15 years old and composed the following sentences, among
others, during that evaluation: Other kids make me frustrated; I regret hitting little kids; I
cant stay in a place a long time; and I need a family. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 006989. S.A.s
reading skills were estimated between third and fourth grade levels and the psychologist noted
diarrhea, drowsiness, and lack of coordination. http://www.drugs.com/lithium.html (last viewed July 27, 2015).
88
that two of her major psycho-social stressors were numerous placements and failed
adoptions and that not being apart [sic] of a family is painfully disturbing to this child. Id. at
1 RFP CPS 006990. The psychologist also found that S.A.s caseworkers need to be thinking
of her long-term future because she will not be able to be on her own when she is 18, if ever
and will likely always need the support of a closed community to keep her safe and to help her
function on a daily basis. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 006992.
According to Carter, because of her many placements, S.A. had little sense of who she is
and what her history is and no sense of . . . belonging. (D.E. 326 at 98-99). She could not
remember all the places she has been and could not assist Carter in developing a chronology of
her life. Id. She is disgusted by the ways she has been allowed to fall through the cracks in
foster care due to the constant turnover of primary caseworkers and her many placements. Id. at
96. S.A.s education was also significantly impacted by her many placement changes; she
attended 16 different schools over 13 years. (DX 120 at DFPS009035208-13 (filed under seal)).
Based on an IQ and achievement screening that Carter administered, S.A. is well below
normal in all areas and at the age of 17 could not read past the third or fourth grade level.
(D.E. 326 at 99, 130-31). According to Carter, S.A. knows that she is a psychological wreck
and not equipped to become an independent adult in this world. Id. at 130. Like almost all other
current and former Named Plaintiffs, S.A. exhibits a condition of learned helplessness, which
occurs when a child learn[s] that [her] circumstance [is] unlikely to change and it manifests
itself in the form of a helpless sense or helpless state. Id. at 91, 132. Two months after she
aged out of care and one week after Carters evaluation, S.A. walked into traffic on a highway
and was hit by a car. (DX 120 at DFPS009033437 (filed under seal)). Fortunately her injuries
were not life threatening. Id. S.A., who aged out with no life skills and nowhere to go, is
89
another example of the forgotten children in Texass PMC. Unfortunately, as Carter testified and
the Court so finds, S.A.s experience is typical . . . of the entire foster care system in the State of
Texas, especially in the PMC. (See D.E. 326 at 132-33, 192, 194).
d. A.M.
A.M. is a class representative for the General Class and the Licensed Foster Care
Subclass. At the time of trial, A.M. was 17 years old. She was placed in foster care in July 2004
at age seven due to her mothers neglectful supervision. (DX 120 at DFPS009048706 (filed
under seal)). Her case files numbered approximately 36,000 pages. When she was placed in
care, her father was on death row and her mother was on trial for homicide. Id. at DFPS #3980.
DFPS had previously investigated possible physical abuse and neglect of A.M. and her sister in
2003, but determined no abuse occurred. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 133080. A.M. came into care with
two half siblings with whom she was very close. She was essentially the primary caregiver for
her younger sisters. See id. at 1 RFP CPS 133081. A.M.s first caseworker noted that A.M. was
consumed with caring for her little sisters, particularly her youngest sister, whom A.M. called
my baby. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 133130. All three siblings were initially placed together in a
foster home outside of their home community, but within 50 miles. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 133131.
In August 2004, A.M.s next younger sister was removed to a kinship placement with her
biological father, where she reportedly did well.28 Id. at DFPS #3375. In October, that child was
dismissed from DFPS custody and her biological father was granted permanent conservatorship
of her. Id. at DFPS #3376. Although DFPS initially made efforts to keep A.M. and her youngest
sister together, they were eventually separated. See id. at 1 RFP CPS 133361.
28
The three siblings each reportedly had different biological fathers.
90
A.M. had two failed adoption placements. In the first, after cycling through several
therapeutic foster homes, in December 2004 A.M. and her half-sister were placed in a pre-
adoptive placement. Id. at DFPS #3476, 3374-80, 3384. Although A.M. initially did well, her
behavior began to deteriorate. See id. at DFPS #3386-93. These foster parents struggled to
handle her fits of rage. In February 2006, A.M.s therapist notified CPS that these foster parents
intended to separate A.M. from her sister and return A.M. to CPS. Id. at DFPS #3360. A.M.s
caseworker reported serious concerns that these parents were in a power struggle with eight-
year-old A.M. See id. at DFPS #3360, #3424. The caseworker also expressed concern that these
parents refused to change their child-rearing techniques despite A.M.s needs. Id. at DFPS
#1010. The foster father refused all of A.M.s therapists suggestions for how to deal with her
behavior, instead forcing her to run laps in the back yard. See id. at DFPS #3428. Nonetheless,
the adoption process for only the younger sister continued. Id. at DFPS #3360.
In April 2006, the foster parents demanded that A.M. be removed immediately as A.M.
allegedly tried to hurt her younger sister. Id. at DFPS #3435-36. Both children were removed.
Id. at DFPS #3437-38. After removal, the two year old younger sister displayed disturbing
behavior, including attempting to place a crayon in her vagina and open-mouth kissing. Id. at
DFPS #3437. A.M. reported that the former foster parents punished her by making her drink
vinegar, which induced vomiting. Id. at DFPS009048356-64. A.M.s aunt reported to her
caseworker that she was glad that the children were removed as the foster mother made A.M. eat
alone in the kitchen, forced her to clean the house, and didnt allow her to play outside. Id. at
DFPS #3450. RCCL investigated the allegations and Ruled Out any abuse in the previous foster
home. Id. at DFPS009048366, 009048440-41.
91
In May 2006, both children were placed in a therapeutic foster home. Id. at DFPS #3449.
A week later A.M. was placed in a psychiatric hospital for anger, rages and threats to harm
herself and her foster parents. Id.
In July 2006, A.M. returned to the same foster home and for a time appeared to be
improving, though she did have outbursts and crying fits. Id. at DFPS, #3452, #3456-57. The
foster parents expressed interest in adopting both children. Id. at DFPS #3456. At this time, the
foster parents changed the first name of the younger sister. Id. at DFPS #3457-61. A.M.s
behavior continued to deteriorate and, in December 2006, the foster parents informed A.M. that
her behavior needed to improve, or she may not be able to stay. Id. at DFPS #3461. The
caseworker requested that she be given adequate notice if A.M. could not remain with them to
avoid placing her in a shelter. Id.
In January 2007, a court agreed to separate the two siblings, thus allowing the younger
sibling to be adopted. Id. at DFPS #3350-51. A.M. apparently had no knowledge of this, as her
psychologist wrote to the court in October 2007 that it was in A.M.s best interest to remain in
this placement with hopes of adoption and that her removal from this placement would be a
tremendous loss to her and highly destructive to her ability to attach to any parents in the future.
Id. at DFPS #3188. The psychologist also warned that the younger sisters adoption should not
be kept a secret from A.M. as her inevitable realization of this deception will significantly
impair her ability to trust . . . and further impair her attachment process. Id. Around this time,
her caseworker noted that a separation from her sister would wound A.M.29 Id. at DFPS #3214.
29
From January to October, 2007, A.M.s only contact with a caseworker was an I See You worker. Notes indicate
that this worker spoke with the foster parents by phone and in person once during this ten-month period. A.M.s
monthly impact evaluation prepared by her primary caseworker appears to be entirely based on secondhand
information from the I See You worker.
92
In May 2007, A.M. told her I See You worker that she wanted to stay with this family
because she loved them and wanted to be with her younger sister. Id. at DFPS #3468. That
same month, the foster parents informed the I See You worker that they intended only to adopt
the younger sibling and suggested A.M. be sent to a group home. See id. Still A.M. was left in
the dark by everyone as to this second failed adoption. In December 2007, the foster parents
formally adopted the youngest sister and changed her last name. Id. at DFPS #963. A.M. asked
her caseworker if her name could be changed as well. Id. at DFPS #961. No response is noted.
Two weeks later, A.M. had a major meltdown and was placed in emergency respite care.
Id. at DFPS #963. By January 2008, she was in a psychiatric hospital for her behavioral
deterioration and for hitting her teacher. Id. at DFPS #964. The following day, the foster parents
gave notice that they could no longer provide A.M. a home even though they signed a long-term
care agreement for A.M. around the time they adopted her younger sister. Id. Carter testified
that A.M. deeply regrets being separated from her two half-sisters. (D.E. 326 at 120, 122).
After a placement change, A.M.s behavior and emotional state deteriorated even further.
According to Talley, A.M.s next friend, A.M. never recovered from that second rejection. (D.E.
323 at 98). After two weeks in the psychiatric hospital, in February 2008 A.M. was placed in an
RTC. (DX 120 at DFPS #969 (filed under seal)). She remained there for approximately three
years, and was visited exclusively by her I See You worker. See id. at DFPS #1101-51. Despite
seeing A.M. regularly over the three years, the worker seems to have never developed a
relationship with A.M, mechanically asking the same 10-12 questions at every visit to which
A.M. gave one-word responses. See id. at DFPS #828-997. After A.M.s primary caseworker
dropped her off at the RTC in February 2008, A.M. did not see her primary caseworker again
until February 2011, when a different primary caseworker took her to another placement. See id.
93
A.M.s primary caseworkers changed four times over that period, meaning that three of them
never saw A.M. in person. See id. A.M. spoke with her primary workers by telephone less than
once a month over that period, often initiating the calls herself. See id.
In April 2009, a person from North Carolina contacted CPS about adopting A.M. See id.
at DFPS #989. For two months, CPS prepared A.M. for the possibility of being adopted in a
different state. See id. at DFPS #991-98. In July 2009, A.M. told her therapist that she did not
want to be adopted because she would live so far away and would not see her sister. Id. at
DFPS #998. That same month, A.M.s therapist informed her primary caseworker that A.M.
cant seem to get out of her head that the family that adopted her sister [did] not want to adopt
her and wont. Id. at DFPS #999. In June 2010, CPS learned that the person from North
Carolina had been untruthful and was carrying on a relationship with A.M.s father, who was still
on death row. Id. at DFPS #905-06. Because of the attempted deception, CPS immediately
stopped all contact between this person and A.M. Id. at DFPS #906. Two weeks later, CPS
decided to stop all active recruitment efforts for a permanent home for A.M. and her
permanency goal was changed to Another Planned Permanent Living Arrangement (APPLA).
Id. at DFPS #824, #906. According to DFPS policy, APPLA is reserved for children age 16 and
above when all other possible permanency goals have been explored and ruled out. And the
caseworker must state a compelling reason why no other permanency goal is possible or
appropriate. (PX 52 at 29). A.M. was 12 years old when her permanency goal changed to
APPLA. On her service plan that month, A.M.s caseworker acknowledged that A.M. may now
age out of care. (DX 120 at DFPS #329 (filed under seal)).
Since June 2010, A.M. cycled through ten more placements (including five different
RTCs) and had at least three more psychiatric hospitalizations, including an unnecessary six
94
weeks in a psychiatric hospital because CPS could not find her a placement. See id. at
DFPS009043853-920. By February 2014, A.M.s behavior had deteriorated to such an extent
that most RTCs in Texas appeared unwilling to take her. See id. at DFPS009043821. In August
2014, she was discharged from the only RTC that had been willing to take her, when she
assaulted a staff member and was taken into police custody. Id. at DFPS009043809, 009044256-
61. She was detained at the Bexar County Juvenile Detention Center. Id. at DFPS009043809.
As of October 2014, A.M. was living in another RTC, more than 200 miles from her home
county. (DX 266 at 3 (filed under seal)). DFPS expected her to age out of care when she turned
18 on July 31, 2015. (PX 2003 at 106 (filed under seal)).
When A.M. first entered care, her level of service was Basic. (DX 120 at
DFPS009048706 (filed under seal)). Throughout her time in care, her service levels ranged the
entire spectrum, mostly alternating between Moderate and Specialized, with two extended
periods at Intense. See id. at 1 RFP CPS 132864-3000. Although A.M.s level of care had
fluctuated previously, she was Basic for most of her stay with the first potential adoptive family
in 2005-06. Id. at DFPS #44-57. Approximately two months after that placement failed, her
level of care raised from Basic to Specialized. Id. at DFPS #58. A.M. fluctuated between
Moderate and Specialized throughout her time with the second potential adoptive family in
2006-07; she was Moderate at the time that her sister was adopted. Id. at DFPS #58-73. At the
end of January 2008, almost immediately after A.M. was returned to CPS while her sister was
adopted, A.M.s level of care increased from Moderate to Specialized. Id. at DFPS #74. Less
than two months later, her level of care rose for the first time to Intense. Id. at DFPS #76. Her
level of care fluctuated for the rest of her time in care, remaining primarily on Specialized, and
never again reduced to Basic. See id. at 1 RFP CPS 132864-3000, DFPS009043800.
95
A.M. changed schools at least ten times while in State custody. See id. at 1 RFP CPS
135321-25. Shortly after she entered care, A.M. appeared to be right on target
developmentally and had no known developmental delays. Id. at DFPS009048706. In early
2006, approximately a year and a half later, A.M. was still doing well in school, had good word
comprehension, and evenly developed math skills. Id. at DFPS009050704. In April 2006, her
evaluating psychologist found that her basic academic skills [were] better developed than those
of most children her age and believed that A.M. would do well in a regular education
classroom. Id. A.M. was in third grade at the time and was regarded as generally a good
student, and very bright. Id. at DFPS009048727. She remained in regular classes until 2008, at
which point she began receiving special education services. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 135323,
DFPS009050535. She continued to receive special education services on and off throughout the
rest of her time in care, though she initially remained a good student overall. See id. at 1 RFP
CPS 135321-23. For example, in the sixth grade (2008-09 school year), she received a 90 or
above in all of her classes. Id. at DFPS009048993. During the 2010-11 school year (eighth
grade), A.M. had a 90 or better in all of her core classes, with a 100 in Mathematics. Id. at
DFPS009049166. As of July 2014, though, after being shuffled between different four RTCs
over three years, A.M.s grades fell to below average. Id. at DFPS009043800-01. As of
October 2014, A.M. was attending a self-contained special education program for emotionally
disturbed children. (DX 266 at 3 (filed under seal)).
During her time in foster care, A.M. had at least eight different primary, and eight
different secondary, caseworkers. (See DX 120 at 1 RFP CPS 133792-4232 (filed under seal)).
Because several of her placements were far from her home county, A.M. never met many of her
caseworkers. See id. A.M. changed placements at least 21 times, including seven psychiatric
96
hospitalizations. See id. at DFPS009043800. Although early on in her time in care she was
placed mainly in therapeutic foster homes, since 2008 she lived primarily (five and a half of her
last seven years in custody) in various RTCs, all hundreds of miles from her home county. Id.
Carter opined that A.M. is so damaged from being moved from RTC to RTC, she [doesnt]
know how to function in a home. (D.E. 323 at 97-98). Carter testified that A.M. viewed her
experience in foster care overwhelmingly negatively. (D.E. 326 at 120-22). While in care, A.M.
would occasionally achieve relative stability, during which her service level would improve,
and as a result her placement would be changed. Id. at 122. She was often moved just as she
became accustomed to her placement. See id. According to Carter, A.M. has not achieved any
kind of lasting stability in State care. Id. at 120, 122. Carter testified that A.M. projects her
pain caused by separation from her siblings outward by being extremely defiant. Id. at 122.
Like most of the other Named Plaintiffs, she has no sense of belonging and does not know how
to function in a family environment. See id. at 121-22. She is woefully unprepared for
adulthood, for marriage, family life, social settings, or employment. Id. at 136. Carter
concluded that A.M. had been greatly hurt in foster care. Id. at 192, 194. Unfortunately, as
Carter testified and the Court so finds, A.M.s experience is typical . . . of the entire foster care
system in the State of Texas, especially in the PMC. See id. at 132-33, 192, 194.
e. J.S.
J.S. is a class representative for the General Class and the Licensed Foster Care Subclass.
At the time of trial, J.S. was 12 years old. (D.E. 326 at 95). He was removed from his mothers
home in Lubbock in May 2007, at the age of five, due to neglect and his mothers drug abuse.
(DX 120 at DFPS009058393 (filed under seal)). He was initially placed in a foster group home
with his older sister (and her infant child). See id. at DFPS009058892. In his first psychological
evaluation, in July 2007, the psychologist diagnosed J.S. with Adjustment Disorder with Mixed
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Anxiety and Depressed Mood, and noted that J.S. may have a learning disability, but also said
that if he remains in a stable environment, his prognosis is good. Id. at DFPS009062646. His
initial level of care was Basic. See id. at DFPS009058904. Yet, two weeks later, J.S. was
moved to an emergency shelter at a GRO. Id. at DFPS009058894. Shortly after that move, J.S.
made an outcry of prior sexual abuse by two of his young cousins. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 014877,
DFPS009068441, DFPS #40677. Although the allegations were investigated, it does not appear
that a doctor physically examined J.S. in connection with that outcry. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 015429.
J.S. did not receive any specialized counseling to address those allegations either. See id. at 1
RFP CPS 015463.
In October 2007, J.S. was admitted to a psychiatric hospital and his level of care was
increased to Specialized because he threatened to cut his neck, cut off his nose and brain, and
shoot himself. Id. at DFPS009055638, 009062077. There, only four months after entering care,
an evaluating psychologist found that J.S. was suffering from anxiety and depression, noting that
J.S.s depression appear[ed] to have worsened causing him to act out even more. Id. at
DFPS009062182. In November 2007, DFPS moved J.S. to an RTC in Victoria, 500 miles away,
separating him from his sister. Id. at DFPS009058904. After this move, J.S.s behavior
worsened and he began to act out sexually, exposing himself to his peers and asking for them to
perform oral sex on him. Id. at DFPS009062772. J.S.s caseworker noted that sexual acting
out was now an obvious issue. Id. at DFPS009062811. In spite of Defendants and Plaintiffs
experts testifying that sexually abused children should live in single-child placements, DFPS
never placed J.S. in a single-child home. (See D.E. 328 at 161; D.E. 329 at 161; D.E. 303 at 8).
J.S. made little progress at the Victoria facility. During that placement, a judge referred to J.S. as
unadoptable. Id. at DFPS009059404. J.S. remained at that RTC until November 2008, at
98
which point DFPS moved him back to Lubbock to reestablish contact with his sister, per his
attorney ad litems request. Id. at DFPS009058903. Lutheran Social Services, a CPA, placed
J.S. in a therapeutic foster home. Id. at DFPS009055662, 009058906.
J.S.s behavior initially worsened in that home, at times running out into the street and
telling his foster mother that he wanted to be hit by a car. See id. at DFPS009057698. J.S.
eventually improved, growing close to his foster mother. Back in Lubbock, in December 2008
J.S. began having visits with his sister, which made him very happy. See id. at DFPS9061249.
In January 2009, J.S.s caseworker noted that J.S.s sister was still visiting him weekly and that
his behavior had improved, although he continued to struggle. Id. at DFPS009061253. In May
2009, a psychologist noted that J.S.s behavior had improved significantly since this examiner
last evaluated [J.S.]. Id. at DFPS009062463. J.S. was diagnosed with Adjustment Disorder
with Depressed Mood, Dysthymic Disorder, and ADHD. Id. The psychologist noted that J.S.
required a stable, long-term placement. Id. In August 2009, J.S.s caseworker wrote that J.S.
appeared happy and healthy and that he was free from abuse and neglect [in] his current
placement. Id. at DFPS #40524. Two weeks later, though, and for reasons that are not
supported by any concrete evidence or findings, J.S. was removed from that placement. The
removal appears to have been based entirely his caseworkers concern that J.S.s foster home had
a chaotic structure and his doctors worry that J.S.s foster mother may not have had
adequate training to deal with J.S.s behavior. Id. at DFPS #40528, #40530. There is no
record that DFPS investigated these allegations. According to the caseworkers notes, J.S. liked
living in that home and when he was told that he would not be returning, he became very angry
and began to cry. Id. The Bair Foundation moved him to another therapeutic foster home. Id. at
DFPS009063546.
99
J.S.s behavior and condition declined dramatically. Although J.S. had show[n]
improvement at [his] previous school, a month after being moved, he was suspended from his
new school several times. Id. at DFPS009057707. When placing J.S., neither DFPS nor the
CPA informed his new foster parents about his history of sexual abuse and sexually acting out.
Other than his race, the only information that the foster parents were told prior to bringing J.S.
into their home was that he was desperate for a placement. Id. at DFPS009062030. The foster
parents, who had three other similarly aged foster children and an adopted teenage son, only
learned about J.S.s tendency to act out sexually when J.S. exposed himself to two of his foster
brothers. Id. at DFPS009062030, 009061738-39. J.S. shared a room with R.R., the foster
parents 15-year-old adopted son; they slept in bunk-beds. Id. DFPS009062030-32.
Within two months of being placed in that home, J.S. made a sexual abuse outcry. On
November 5, 2009, a teaching assistant overheard seven-year-old J.S. tell his eight-year-old
foster brother: Im gonna stick my [penis] in your [behind], its gonna hurt you but its gonna
make me feel good. Id. at DFPS009061758. When later questioned, J.S. indicated that his
foster brother had performed anal sex on him, but did not provide any other details. Id. The
schools principal told RCCL that the childrens behavior had recently become much worse, and
the teaching assistant told RCCL that she observed R.R. be a real bully to the other children.
(DX 120 at DFPS009062029 (filed under seal)). The Child Advocacy Center conducted forensic
interviews with J.S. and his three foster brothers, but none of them made any further outcries. Id.
at DFPS009062035. During J.S.s interview, he denied that anyone touched him inappropriately,
but did state that his roommate, R.R. scare[d] him. Id. at DFPS009062026. There is no record
in J.S.s approximately 40,000 pages of case files that a doctor physically examined J.S. in
connection with these allegations. After many years of therapy, J.S. would later admit to his
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psychologist that a boy at a previous placement blindfolded him, urinated on him, and fondled
him. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 136190. Even during his 2014 psychological evaluation by Carter, J.S.
only admitted that he was sexualized by his foster brother, but was too embarrassed to discuss
the incident any further. (D.E. 326 at 115).
During the investigation, the foster father told the RCCL investigator that, one month
prior, R.R. had exposed himself to one of the other young boys in the home, that R.R. had a
sexual history, and that another foster child had several years prior exposed himself to R.R. Id.
(DX 120 at DFPS009062027 (filed under seal)). The foster father also told the investigator that
due to R.R.s history and behaviors, all of the rooms have baby monitors and motion detectors,
although the detectors do not pick up movement in a childs bed.30 Id. The investigator who
reviewed R.R.s case files confirmed that R.R. had a sexual abuse history, had acted out sexually
in the past, and had only one week earlier exposed himself to one of the other foster children. Id.
at DFPS009062029. Following that previous incident, DFPS implemented a safety plan to
ensure that R.R. would not be alone with any of the foster children. Id. During the
investigation, the investigator discussed with the CPAs case manager his concern that because
R.R. was much older and shar[ed] a room with J.S., that could have put [J.S.] at risk. Id. at
DFPS009062028. The investigator specifically noted that because R.R. had a history of sexual
abuse, the incident when he exposed himself to [another foster child] in October pose[d] a
concern for the safety of any children alone or sharing a bedroom with him. Id. The
investigator informed the Bair Foundation that before any of the other foster children could
return to that home, the CPA needed to reduce the number of children in the . . . foster home
30
The baby monitors turned out to be of little use as well. As J.S. told his therapist nearly a year later, he couldnt
scream because he was too scared. Id. at DFPS009066838 (internal quotation marks omitted).
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and prohibit R.R. from sharing a bedroom with any other child, which the Bair Foundation
agreed to do. Id.; see 1 RFP 6 RCCL 01565-69. Yet R.R. continued sharing a room with J.S.
Id. at DFPS009062029. Despite all of the above, the investigator never interviewed R.R., a
decision his supervisor approved. Id. at DFPS009062031-33. The investigator Ruled Out
neglectful supervision by the foster parents with no minimum standard violations cited,
recommending only [r]outine monitoring. Id. at DFPS009062035. In making that disposition,
the investigator noted that, aside from J.S., the children in the foster home do not have any
history of sexually acting out before or in this home, in direct contradiction of his own
investigation notes. See id. at DFPS009062026-35. The entire investigation, from outcry to final
disposition, lasted less than a month. See id.
Although DFPS Ruled Out all allegations of abuse and neglect, it did not return J.S. to
that foster home and placed him instead in an RTC, again far from his home county, where he
immediately began struggling with aggressive and inappropriate sexual behavior. Id. at
DFPS009057715, 009058914. The record of his time there is replete with serious incident
reports, documenting many unsettling behaviors. Besides repeatedly exposing himself to other
children, staff continuously found J.S. sleeping in the same bed as, kissing, and inappropriately
touching other children. See, e.g., id. at DFPS009063328, 009067086, 009067206, 009067790,
009068214. The RTC eventually placed J.S. in his own room. Id. at DFPS009068857.
Although his sister could no longer visit him, she continued to call J.S., albeit irregularly; J.S.
told his caseworker that he missed his sister and liked talking to her.31 See id. at
31
By March 2010 (and perhaps much earlier), J.S.s sister had aged out of care, although J.S. would continue to
speak with her by phone on and off until at least the middle of 2011. See id. at DFPS009061186-317. His sister
attempted to reestablish contact in August 2012, but CPS determined that it would be best for contact to be limited
until the sister was able to maintain consistency in written correspondence. See id. at DFPS9061361-80. In January
102
DFPS009061159; 009061203-18. J.S.s next psychological evaluation, in July 2010, reflected
marked deterioration. J.S. was diagnosed with PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, Disruptive
Behavior Disorder, and Reactive Attachment Disorder, all of which were new diagnoses. See id.
at DFPS009062377, 009063226. In that evaluation, J.S. was characterized as a very depressed,
anxious[,] and angry youth who has suffered through a long history of chronic instability and
mistreatment. Id. at DFPS009063226. His level of care was fluctuating between Specialized
and Intense. See id. at DFPS #42140, DFPS009068857.
In September 2011, J.S.s RTC closed so DFPS moved him 200 miles to another RTC in
Nacogdoches. Id. at DFPS009055662. J.S. was placed in a room with four other boys in spite of
his well-documented history of sexually aggressive behavior. Id. at DFPS009058886. After two
months, the Nacogdoches RTC requested [J.S.] be moved due to his behavior requiring more
supervision than what they were able to provide. Id. at DFPS009058919. In November 2011,
J.S. was moved to an RTC 250 miles away in Goldthwaitehis ninth placement in four years,
not counting respite homes. See id. at DFPS009055662. His level of care at this point was
Intense (his case files are inconsistent as to how long he had been at that level). Id. at DFPS
#42140, DFPS009055662. J.S. remained at an Intense level until July 2013. Id. at
DFPS009055656. Shortly before his level of care decreased, an adoption specialist described
J.S. as not looking anywhere near ready for [an] adoptive placement. Id. at 1 RFP CPS
136258. Yet DFPS, after investing a considerable amount of effort, was able to find J.S. a pre-
adoptive placement, more than 500 miles from his home county, which he was moved to in
December 2013. Id. at DFPS009055662. In May 2014, J.S.s caseworker noted that he appeared
2013, J.S. was again speaking with his sister by phone, but by July 2013, due to sisters inconsistency, J.S.s
caseworker began withholding her letters from him. Id. at DFPS009061391-92, 009061416.
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to be bonding with his potential adoptive father, but that the caseworker was dependent on J.S.s
therapist and secondary worker for all such observations as it [was] hard to tell what is on
[J.S.s] mind and how deep the bond is from long distance. Id. at DFPS009061444. J.S.s
adoption was finalized on July 18, 2014. Id. at DFPS009056970, 009056973.
Throughout his time in care, J.S. had at least 15 different primary and secondary
caseworkers. See id. at DFPS009059443-527. J.S. rarely saw, or even heard from, his primary
caseworkers and had little opportunity to establish stable or meaningful relationships. See id.
On the rare occasion that J.S. developed a relationship with a caseworker, it generally did not last
very long and sometimes resulted in additional pain for J.S. For example, in May 2011, J.S. told
his therapist that he was sad because he missed his caseworkerwhom he had not seen in over a
year at that pointand asked if he could write her a letter. Id. at DFPS #42124. Both primary
and secondary caseworkers failed to visit J.S. regularly. No caseworker visited or even called
J.S. in October 2009, immediately prior to his outcry of sexual abuse at the hands of another
child in his placement. See id. at DFPS009059467-69. Most egregious, after his outcry and
removal to an RTC, his primary caseworker did not visit him for over four months. See id. at
DFPS009059469-74. Even when secondary caseworkers visited J.S. regularly, he was subjected
to a flurry of different ones, each a complete stranger. For example, in a six-month period in
2010, J.S. saw six different workers, most of whom he had never met. Id. at DFPS009059443-
527. In 2011, J.S. saw seven different caseworkers, some for the first time. See id.
Not including several different respite homes stays, J.S. had ten different placements
across Texas during his seven years in care. Id. at DFPS009055662. He attended eight different
schools over that time, each in a different county. See id. at DFPS009060987-89. At the age of
12, J.S. was a virtual non-reader. (D.E. 326 at 115). According to Carter, J.S. has severe
104
attachment deficits due to his experiences. Id. at 114. Although J.S. likely came into care with
some attachment deficiencies, they worsened during his time in care simply because . . . he was
provided no stability whatsoever. Id. Carter opined that J.S., due to his experience in substitute
care, has become an aggressor and will likely hurt himself and others. Id. at 114-16. J.S. was
hurt by his experiences in the State[s] care. Id. at 190. Unfortunately, as Carter testified and
the Court so finds, J.S.s experience is typical . . . of the entire foster care system in the State of
Texas, especially in the PMC. See id. 132-33, 190, 194.
f. H.V., J.V, and P.O.
H.V. is a class representative for the General Class, the Licensed Foster Care Subclass,
and the Foster Group Home Subclass. P.O. is a former class representative for the General Class
and the Licensed Foster Care Subclass. 32 J.V. is not a Named Plaintiff, but his case files were
included with, and linked to, the case files for H.V. and P.O. The Court relies on J.V.s
experience in the same way it relies on the evidence from former foster children Arce, Bentley,
Jackson, Virgil, and Sharp. See supra p. 31.
H.V., J.V., and P.O. are brothers who DFPS removed from their familys care in
Levelland in October 2004 following allegations of neglectful supervision, physical neglect, and
drug abuse by both parents. (DX 120 at 1 RFP CPS 035047-48, DFPS009027864 (filed under
seal)). Their case files constitute more than 60,000 pages. All three boys have the same
biological mother, but P.O. has a different biological father. Their mother had a long history of
drug abuse and it was suspected that H.V.s and J.V.s father was using and selling drugs.
Neither parent had a permanent home. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 035048-49. P.O.s father also had a
history of drug abuse, criminal behavior, and incarceration. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 034327, 034997,
32
The Court holds that certain Named Plaintiffs are no longer adequate class representatives. See infra Section III.
105
DFPS009026635. All three boys had lived off and on with their maternal aunt and grandmother.
Id. at DFPS009027864. The brothers also had an older sister, who lived with the grandmother.
Id. at DFPS009028131.
H.V. was five years old and in kindergarten when he entered care with DFPS. Id. at
DFPS009027864. J.V. was three years old and in daycare, and P.O. was one year old when they
entered the DFPS system. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 032017-18. All three boys initial level of care was
Basic. 1 RFP CPS 148315, 1 RFP CPS 034595, 1 RFP CPS 033430. After removal from their
parents, DFPS temporarily placed H.V. and J.V. in a Basic foster home and P.O. with his
maternal aunt. Id. at DFPS009026217, DFPS009026134, DFPS009026453. After about a week,
DFPS moved H.V. and J.V. to the aunts home as well, where they stayed for over a year. Id. at
1 RFP CPS 032553. While in that home, H.V. was described as a smart and active boy,
outgoing, friendly, and mischievous, without any developmental delays or behavior problems.
Id. at DFPS009027864. J.V. usually was observed playing with his brothers or watching
television, and P.O. was described as active, giggling, happy, and playful. The children were in
play therapy with a psychologist. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 032549.
In November 2005, allegations were made that the aunt tied J.V.s hands behind his back
and made him stand with his nose on the wall, spanked him, and put him in a black hole, later
determined to be the basement. It also was alleged that the aunt hit J.V. in the head with a
paddle, causing an injury that required stitches, and that he was not fed regularly and was
frightened. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 032554, DFPS009028691, 009025491. The boys were removed
from that home and placed with their grandmother. While there, J.V. alleged that the
grandmother tied his hands with a jump rope and that another member of the household
threatened him with a knife. Id. at DFPS009028691. An investigation resulted in a finding of
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RTB regarding the allegations against the aunt and UTD regarding the allegations against the
grandmother. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 037378-79. In the meantime, the parents custody rights were
terminated. DFPS obtained permanent managing conservatorship of H.V. and J.V. on February
10, 2006, and of P.O. on January 9, 2007. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 031078. After the investigation,
DFPS moved all three boys to an emergency shelter at the Panhandle Assessment Center on
February 17, 2006. J.V. and P.O. were very upset during the transport to the shelter and cursed,
screamed, hit, and kicked at workers. Id. at DFPS009028690-91.33
The boys time with DFPS is notable for the ready use of psychotropic medication to
control what often was age-appropriate behavior, or at the very least, behavior expected from
children exposed to violence and upheaval in their young lives. In February 2006, when H.V.
was still living with the grandmother, he was seen by a psychiatrist at the request of his
caseworker. He was diagnosed with Adjustment Disorder, although it was noted that there was
no need for medication at the time and no evidence of ADHD. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 036687-89.
While H.V. was at the Panhandle Assessment Center, a psychological evaluation showed that his
overall intellectual functioning was in the average range with high average performance skills
and high average reading and spelling skills. He was capable of responding in a compliant,
cheerful, and appropriately interactive manner, though he frequently responded in an
argumentative, dominating, antagonistic, and aggressive manner toward his brothers and
residents in the home. He was diagnosed with an adjustment disorder, with disturbance of mood
and conduct and a severe history of abuse and neglect. His prognosis was hopeful, as long as
33
As early as December 6, 2004, P.O.s paternal grandparents expressed an interest in adopting him, but
inexplicably, their home was not considered as a potential placement until eight years later. Id. at DFPS009028104,
DFPS009024714.
107
he could be placed in a well-structured, nurturing, consistent, and enriching environment. Id. at
1 RFP CPS 036725-29. Nevertheless, within one month, H.V. was prescribed Risperdal, an anti-
psychotic medication. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 036698, 036701. In May 2006, H.V. was doing well
and staff at PAC reported no problems. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 032566. He was continued on the
Risperdal because of a tendency to be defiant and talk back. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 036701.
In January 2006, two months after making physical abuse outcry, five-year-old J.V. had
his first of many visits to a psychiatrist to address behaviors of kicking, hitting, and defiance. He
was prescribed Focalin for ADHD, although there is no record of an evaluation. His therapist
recommended that J.V. see the psychiatrist. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 031868. At a March 2006
psychological evaluation, J.V. exhibited occasional impatience, demanding behaviors, emotional
sensitivity and withdrawal. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 037195. He also struggled to listen and follow
directions, and was fidgety and overactive, but was responsive to redirection. His overall
intellectual functioning was in the average range. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 037193-99.
P.O. was moved to a therapeutic foster home run by PAC. Notes show that P.O., who
had just turned three years old, had tantrums when asked to do something, interrupted adults
when talking, used curse words, ignored adults when they talked to him, resisted taking naps and
going to bed, and pouted, sulked, and whined when told it was time to clean up or go to bed. Id.
at 1 RFP CPS 034589-90. In April 2006, P.O. was prescribed Albuterol for bronchitis. In June
2006, P.O. was taking Sudafed for reasons that are not clear in the record. Id. at 1 RFP CPS
034490, 034609. Both medications list nervousness, restlessness, and sleeplessness as side
effects.34 Later in June, based on P.O.s foster mothers report that he was hyperactive,
34
See http://www.drugs.com/albuterol.html (last viewed on June 27, 2015); http://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-
6573/sudafed/details/list-sideeffects (last viewed on June 27, 2015).
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aggressive, and had trouble sleeping, a psychiatrist prescribed Clonidine to help him sleep.
There is no mention in the psychiatrists notes that P.O. was taking other medications at the time.
Id. at 1 RFP CPS 034496. The next month the psychiatrist increased the Clonidine dosage. Id.
at 1 RFP CPS 034506-07.
P.O. continued to have tantrums, hit other children over toys, resisted going to time-out,
bit his nails, played in bed when he was supposed to be sleeping, whined, interrupted adults,
played with his food, and argued, although he also had good days and behaved well at times. Id.
at 1 RFP CPS 034624-66. In August 2006, P.O.s foster mother requested an increase in his
level of care from Basic to Moderate based on aggression and not wanting to take naps. Id. at
DFPS009028702. However, he remained at a Basic level of care. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 146859. In
September 2006, the psychiatrist added Focalin and Risperdal to P.O.s medication regimen. Id.
at 1 RFP CPS 034508-09. P.O. had not undergone a psychological evaluation or intellectual
assessment. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 034334. The next month, P.O. began to have occurrences of
enuresis (involuntary urination) and encopresis (involuntary defecation). Id. at 1 RFP CPS
034337. Nothing in the record indicates that any of P.O.s caregivers or health care providers
questioned the possible link between his new medications and his urinary and bowel troubles.
These conditions plagued him for years.
P.O. underwent a psychological evaluation on October 10, 2006, where the psychologist
noted that the amount of Clonidine he was taking had been reduced. P.O. behaved well during
the assessment. His intellectual functioning fell within the average range and his motor behavior
was slightly excessive. Based on reports from his foster mother, P.O. was defiant, destructive,
disobedient, aggressive, resistant to toilet training, and unresponsiveness to punishment. He was
diagnosed with Oppositional Defiant Disorder, ADHD, and Relational Problems (not otherwise
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specified). Id. at 1 RFP CPS 034352-62. The psychologist recommended that P.O. continue
placement in a therapeutic environment that provided adequate stability, consistency, and
emotional responsiveness. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 034574.
In October 2006, P.O.s caseworker submitted a request to raise his level of care to
Moderate, but he remained at Basic. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 033428. In March 2007, P.O. was doing
well, was cooperative and pleasant. He was easy to redirect and well behaved. The psychiatrist
reduced the amount of Clonidine he was taking. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 034535. In May 2007, his
foster mother said she would like him to be taken off his medication at some point. Id. at
DFPS009028633. P.O. had a difficult month in June 2007, exposed himself to another boy and
tried to urinate on him, and talked back to his caregivers. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 034877. In
December 2007, his therapist remarked that P.O.s social skills appeared improved and he was
calm and compliant. His therapy was reduced to once per month. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 034587. He
was four years old.
In April 2008, P.O.s therapist said his behavior had improved and he was showing more
compliance and less aggression. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 037734. After the boys were placed in the
adoption unit, P.O. was moved to a different foster home, in Lubbock, so that he would be in the
same city as H.V. and J.V.. Id. at DFPS009028658659. P.O. did well in that home. In October
2008, P.O.s foster mother said he never got in trouble at home or school. He was taking Focalin
and Risperdal. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 031816.
In the meantime, in May 2006, H.V. and J.V. were moved to a GRO in Amarillo. After
the move, H.V. began acting out violently and was rebellious toward his caregivers, according to
his psychiatrist, who increased the amount of Risperdal H.V. was taking. The psychiatrist noted
no side effects from the Risperdal, even though listed side effects include aggressive behavior
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and agitation. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 036703. Another listed side effect is enuresis; H.V. had begun
to wet the bed at night. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 038078.
In May 2006, J.V. was described as shy, quiet, fearful, and aggressive, although he did
not display the aggression that H.V. displayed. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 036932, 036957. His therapist
noted that nurturance and safety were J.V.s biggest needs. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 037206. In
September 2006, J.V.s therapist stated that he had become more emotionally defiant with his
house parents, cursing at them and trying to provoke them. The therapist also said it was
important for staff to evaluate J.V.s behavior in light of his medications. Id. at 1 RFP CPS
037211. As of November 2006, J.V., five years old and in kindergarten, was taking Strattera,35
Focalin, and Risperdal. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 036946. His level of care rose to Moderate at the
GROs request. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 033430. GRO staff described H.V. and J.V. as a handful, but
said that everyone who met the boys enjoyed them and that even though they were active and
could be a problem, they were pleasant and enjoyable to be around. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 032579.
There was discussion about allowing the aunt and grandmother to visit the boys. J.V.
indicated that he wanted to see the aunt but also was afraid of her. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 037209.
After J.V. had a visit with the aunt, he complained of a stomachache and was withdrawn and
depressed. He chewed his nails, which his therapist attributed to anxiety or a side effect of his
stimulant medication. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 037217. J.V.s behavior began to deteriorate after the
aunt and grandmother started visiting him twice per month. He started having wetting and
soiling accidents, became distraught, was emotionally out of control and explosive. Id. at 1 RFP
35
Strattera is used to treat AHDH in children. Side effects include confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or
behavior, feeling aggressive or hostile, painful or difficult urination, drowsiness, and insomnia.
http://www.drugs.com/strattera.html (last viewed July 1, 2015).
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CPS 037220. By January 2007, J.V. was very aggressive with other children, hitting, kicking,
and biting them. He responded poorly to timeouts and loss of privileges. His therapist said J.V.
needed as much individual parenting as possible and the houseparent structure at his GRO was
not meeting his needs. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 037224.
In January 2007, the GRO requested that J.V. be moved because of his difficult behavior.
He began to improve, but his behavior dramatically regressed after the visits from his aunt and
grandmother, and he was completely out of control at home and at school. He was anxious,
angry, and explosive, and acted out in a sexual manner. Since starting a drug for enuresis and a
stool softener medication, J.V. stopped wetting himself. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 033430-31. On
March 13, 2007, J.V. spontaneously said he did not want to have more visits with the aunt or
grandmother. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 037234. As of March 26, 2007, Trileptal and Clonidine were
added to J.V.s medication regimen. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 037011
H.V. and J.V. stayed at the GRO until March 2007, when J.V. was moved to a
therapeutic foster home. Id. at DFPS009028630. Following the move, J.V. became very
disruptive at school. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 037094. J.V. continued to see his aunt and grandmother;
his therapist noted it was unclear whether the visits were helping or hurting him. Id. at 1 RFP
CPS 037238. In a letter to DFPS dated May 24, 2007, the therapist remarked that the temporary
placements of J.V. and H.V. looked more and more destructive. He also expressed frustration
that home studies had not been done on the aunt and grandmother, since the boys had at least
some sort of connection with them. He added that J.V. was regressing by the bucketfuls and
showing more and more attachment dysfunction [with] each placement. Id. at 1 RFP CPS
037240. The therapist also noted that J.V. needs a mother and special treatment and that he
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cannot be medicated into health, only managed chemically. Id. The therapist asked DFPS,
What do you need to establish a permanency plan?; it is unclear if he received a response. Id.
H.V. was moved to the therapeutic foster home where J.V. was living in April 2007. Id.
at DFPS009028632. H.V. did well in the home, but his foster parents commented that he needed
to handle himself better and not act so aggressively. Id. at DFPS009028634. H.V.s level of
care was raised to Moderate in April 2007. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 036006. In June 2007, at eight-
years-old, H.V. was taking Invega,36 Vyvanse, and Clonidine, though it is not clear when those
medications were prescribed or when Risperdal was discontinued. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 031073.
That same month, the foster parents gave notice that they could no longer care for H.V. and J.V.,
in part because of their disruptive behavior. H.V. and J.V. were then moved into a different
therapeutic foster home managed by the Bair Foundation in Lubbock. Id. at DFPS009028635-
37. After H.V. and J.V. were moved, the foster mother said she thought J.V. was over-medicated
because he was very quiet and had trouble listening and focusing. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 037241. A
psychological assessment indicated that J.V.s overall intellectual functioning was in the low
average range and his prognosis was guarded. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 033831.
Following a visit to a psychiatrist in July 2007, J.V.s medications were changed to
Invega, Vyvanse, and Clonidine. He also took Desmopresson Acetate for bedwetting. Id. at 1
RFP CPS 033939. In August 2007, he was doing well and his caseworker reported that his eyes
were brighter since his medications had been reduced. Id. at DFPS009028642. In October 2007,
J.V. was still having a difficult time following directions at school and at home, talking back to
36
Invega is an antipsychotic medication used to treat schizophrenia in adults and teenagers who are at least 12 years
old. Common side effects include uncontrolled muscle movements, drowsiness, and agitation.
http://www.drugs.com/invega.html (last viewed June 30, 2015).
113
his teachers and foster parents. He threw tantrums lasting up to 20 minutes, though he was
making progress in not wetting the bed. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 037048.
H.V. did not like the new placement and accused the foster parents of being racist. He
resented moving and blamed J.V. for the move. It was noted that H.V. needed a stable
environment where he knew someone loved him unconditionally, and that many of H.V.s
negative behaviors were attributable to being upset at changing placements so often. Id. at
DFPS009028643-44, 009027904. In October 2007, H.V.s foster parents called the police
because H.V. became angry and threw chairs against a glass door. His foster mother wanted to
have H.V. moved but keep J.V., who was doing well in the home. Id. at DFPS009028645.
H.V. and J.V. lived in that home for approximately 18 months until December 23, 2008
when they were moved to another therapeutic foster home (also managed by the Bair
Foundation) in Muleshoe. P.O., who was still in his earlier foster home, was moved into this
home to be reunited with his brothers. The decision to move H.V. was made because his foster
parents had given notice that they could no longer care for him. J.V. and P.O. were moved to the
same placement so that the brothers could be together. Id. at DFPS009028543.
P.O.s previous foster parents were extremely distressed that P.O. was moved because he
was doing very well in their home and because he was moved during the holidays. Id. at 1 RFP
CPS 035257. P.O.s behavior deteriorated rapidly after the move. He acted out, broke other
childrens toys, stepped on their fingers, screamed, threw tantrums, pinched his own skin to the
point of bleeding, urinated on himself, and constantly fought with his brothers. Id. at 1 RFP CPS
031822, 032097. On March 18, 2009, P.O.s foster mother noted that he got his meds regulated
for behavior. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 033545. On March 27, 2009, P.O.s level of care was still
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Basic and he was taking Focalin and Clonidine. Despite his behavior at home, he was doing well
in kindergarten. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 031077.
H.V. and J.V. also struggled after the move. H.V. displayed violent behavior with
kicking, screaming and not following directions. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 031822. J.V. had bonded
with his previous foster mother, but in the new placement talked back, was aggressive, struggled
to follow directions, and wet the bed every night. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 033929. In March 2009,
H.V. was taking Clonidine and Abilify. He was described as bright, manipulative, and quick to
anger. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 031077. In April 2009, a psychologist evaluated H.V. and diagnosed
him with Disruptive Behavior Disorder. He had symptoms of ADHD and Oppositional Defiant
Disorder, but there was insufficient evidence to support a diagnosis of those disorders. His
prognosis was fair. There were no contraindications to adoption, but it was recommended that
H.V. be adopted with his brothers and that caregivers should assume that any adoption would not
go smoothly for the first six months. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 036789-99. H.V. continued to have
emotional and violent outbursts and was overheard talking in a sexually inappropriate way about
the household dog. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 038579, 031851. However, he also appeared to be trying
to control his temper and behave better. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 031858. Though, in June 2010, H.V.
started a fire in his grandmothers garage during a visit. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 036843.
In April 2009, J.V.s foster mother reported that when J.V. was angry he cursed and
yelled and threw tantrums, although they did not last very long. He often did not follow the
house rules and could be argumentative and oppositional, lied, and occasionally stole things.
She described him as hyperactive and impulsive. Testing showed J.V. in the average range of
intelligence, functioning near age-level expectations in spelling, math, and reading. J.V. reported
some auditory hallucinations and said he frequently heard a voice talking to him at school but
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could not understand what it said. J.V. was diagnosed with ADHD, but was ruled out for
psychotic symptoms. The therapist said that any potential adoptive parents should be made
aware of J.V.s behavioral difficulties and should have an opportunity to form a relationship with
J.V. and his brothers prior to placement. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 034109-18.
On September 1, 2009, a safety plan was implemented following an incident that
occurred on August 28, 2009. An incident report was not located in the record, although it may
be related to a conversation the foster mother overheard between J.V. and H.V., where J.V. said
he was going to urinate in the dogs mouth. The safety plan required that H.V. and J.V. not be
allowed around pets without adult supervision, that H.V. and J.V. have a responsible adult
present when they were playing outside, and that their foster parents report any inappropriate
touching or talking to the CPA immediately. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 033527, DFPS009028565.
In February 2010, J.V.s level of care was Specialized. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 033829. He
was having extreme tantrums when he was asked to do anything, although he was not having
behavior problems at school. He continued to urinate on himself and wet the bed at night. Id. at
1 RFP CPS 033833. Due to his aggressive behavior, J.V. was to be closely supervised by adults
during waking hours. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 033842. In June 2010, J.V. continued to have difficulty
controlling his bowels and would hide his soiled clothes. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 034077. In July
2010, J.V. said he had reservations about being adopted. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 034144. Not even
two weeks later, despite all the behaviors noted above, CPS staff stated in an adoption readiness
summary that J.V. was ready for adoption, although there might be an adjustment period and
time of behavioral issues once he was placed with the family. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 035792.
P.O. underwent a psychological evaluation on April 13, 2009. His foster mother
described disruptive behavior and said that he was hyperactive and impulsive. He had average
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intellectual functioning and was functioning consistently at a Kindergarten level in reading,
spelling and arithmetic. He was diagnosed with ADHD and Adjustment Disorder with
disturbance of conduct. His prognosis was fair and it was recommended that every effort be
made to keep P.O. and his brothers together. It was also recommended that any potential
adoptive family be made aware of his behavior difficulties and be allowed to form a relationship
prior to adoption. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 037564.
P.O. continued with his disruptive behavior and, in September 2009, touched a pet in an
inappropriate way. He was doing well at school but was confrontational and aggressive at home.
Id. at 1 RFP CPS 037555. In October 2009, P.O. touched another boy inappropriately. When
his foster mother talked to him about it, P.O. said that in his former foster home he used to touch
all the little girls in their private areas. The foster mother said she had monitors in the bedrooms
and was pretty certain there was no sexual acting out going on between the boys. Id. at
DFPS009028569-70. P.O.s level of care was Moderate as of October 1, 2009. Id. at
DFPS009028474. As of April 2010, P.O. was taking Focalin and Clonidine. His foster father
reported P.O. was doing well in school but would get in trouble for not taking schoolwork home.
When he did take it home, he [ate] it on a daily basis. He had trouble sleeping but did better
with medication. He cried frequently and fidgeted when he was sent to time-out. He regularly
lied and stole. He angered easily, used foul language, screamed, hit, kicked, bit, destroyed
property, and was cruel to the family dog. He was seven years old and in the first grade. Id. at 1
RFP CPS 036453-56. Despite his behavior, P.O. functioned at age-level expectation in school
and appeared to possess adequate resources for performing well academically. He underwent a
psychological evaluation in April 2010, still diagnosed with ADHD and Adjustment Disorder
with disturbance of conduct. His prognosis was fair and the psychologist noted that his
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behaviors worsened since being placed with his brothers, but continued to recommend that every
effort be made to keep the brothers together. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 036457-61.
In May 2010, a visitor to the foster home reported to CPS that P.O. told her that an older
boy, who shared a room with P.O. and his brothers, hurt P.O.s wee wee. The visitor also
reported that the foster mother was verbally abusive to a girl in the house and would not let any
of the children talk to visitors. A CPS investigator interviewed all the children and the foster
parents, and they all denied that any inappropriate touching or other abuse. P.O. was examined
by a doctor who saw no evidence of sexual abuse. The CPS investigator Ruled Out sexual
abuse, but the older boy was moved to a room by himself. Id. at DFPS009030587-601.
On August 30, 2010, all three boys were placed in a pre-adoptive home in Blanco. Id. at
1 RFP CPS 038603. At that time, H.V. was 11, J.V. was 9, and P.O. was 7. This adoption was
doomed from its inception. The adoptive parents wanted to adopt two children under the age of
eight, and preferably under five. They wanted to adopt girls but were open to adopting boys.
They wanted to adopt children needing Basic-level care; H.V. and P.O. were at Moderate levels
of care and J.V.s level of care was Specialized. Id. at DFPS009028610. The parents also did
not want to adopt children with severe emotional or mental issues. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 035735,
035746. The person who prepared the home study stated that children who had had severe
violent behaviors, sexual acting out behaviors, animal cruelty, or fire settingall behaviors that
the boys had exhibitedshould not be referred to this family. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 035735. At the
adoption staffing, all of the DFPS staff members were concerned about letting the family adopt
the boys. The concerns included the familys preference for girls and children under the age of
eight; an incident between the father striking an adopted daughter who later became estranged
from the family; that all three boys would have to share a room; that the family had dogs; and
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that they kept guns in the home. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 035876-88. Nonetheless, the decision was
made to place the boys in that home.
The first pre-placement visit went well. During the second visit, though, J.V. had
meltdowns at bedtime and in the morning when getting up. He appeared to want one-on-one
attention. H.V. behaved well and P.O. had some minor episodes. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 032723. On
the first day they were actually placed in the home, J.V. ran off but came back. He said he
wanted to live with his mother and father and that H.V. was mean to him. J.V. stole some items
from the foster parents son. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 032724.
The adoption disrupted in stages. One of the first things the foster parents did was give
the boys new first names. In the first few days of the adoption, J.V. was having anger outbursts
and destroying property. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 034128. Six days after being placed in the home,
J.V. was admitted for acute care at a mental health treatment center in San Antonio for homicidal
ideation and physical aggression. At the foster parents request, the staff stopped all of J.V.s
medications and he was released to their home five days later. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 034133. J.V.
continued with outpatient therapy, but was placed in an emergency shelter a few days later after
threatening to harm his foster mother; he never returned to that home. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 034241.
For J.V., the adoption was over two weeks after it began.
H.V. was slow to bond with the foster parents but did appear to bond with their biological
son. The parents began tapering him off his medications soon after he arrived in the home and
said they did not notice any change in his behavior. He did well in school and began making
friends but he threw tantrums at home and screamed when corrected or told to do chores. Id. at 1
RFP CPS 032702. H.V. blamed the foster parents for the removal of J.V. from the home and his
behavior worsened after J.V. was removed. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 032711. H.V. also began bullying
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their biological son. On November 12, 2010, H.V. was removed from the home and placed in a
therapeutic foster home in San Antonio. He appeared sad but not distressed about being
removed from the pre-adoptive placement. Id. at DFPS009028610-12.
P.O. resisted attaching to the foster parents and did not let his guard down. He made
some progress at home, but did poorly in school. He had to be monitored around their pets
because he could be cruel to them. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 032710. The foster parents took him off
his medications. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 038655. P.O. was removed from the home along with H.V.
and placed in the same therapeutic foster home on the same day H.V. was removed. P.O. was
sad about being removed from the home and blamed H.V. Id. at DFPS009028612.
In addition to J.V. entering a mental health care facility following the disrupted adoption,
H.V. and P.O. also showed signs of intense mental distress over the next several months. H.V.s
foster mother in San Antonio described him as a child who is lost, had a lot of bravado to cover
his fears and is protective, yet disdainful of his little brother. He had a bad temper and
responded poorly every time he was disciplined. He was aggressive, threatened other boys, did
not sleep well, argued, talked about sexual things, did not want to shower or brush his teeth, and
arrived with a stolen cell phone. He was stealing from the other children and had no boundaries.
On November 19, 2010, he was prescribed Risperdal and Concerta. The next day, H.V.s hands
were flip flopping around, his body was contorting into all kinds of poses and he simply could
not sit still. That behavior continued for more than three hours. Two weeks after being placed
in the foster home, H.V. was lying openly, talking about his sexual past, threatening older, bigger
boys, and having tantrums every other day. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 038658-59. In December 2010,
H.V. had trouble sleeping and was very moody and provoking others in the home. The Risperdal
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was discontinued and he was prescribed Seroquel. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 036888. H.V.s level of
care was increased to Specialized in December 2010. Id. at DFPS009028482.
A week after the disrupted adoption, P.O. became aggressive at school, disrupting the
classroom and threatening other children, and made suicidal statements. When the counselor
walked him to her office, he twice tried to trip her. While in the assistant principals office he
jumped off a desk approximately 25 times, threw a chair, pulled off baseboards, and banged on a
windowsill. He threatened to kill himself and told the counselor he would kill her too. His foster
mother picked him up from school and took him to a psychiatric hospital the next day for
evaluation. Id. at DFPS009028610, 1 RFP CPS 037973. While at the psychiatric hospital, P.O.
was prescribed Risperdal and Vyvanse. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 037579.
By December 17, 2010, all three boys had been moved to a GRO in Lubbock. H.V.
shared a cottage with J.V., and P.O. lived in another cottage on the campus. Id. at
DFPS009028614. On January 15, 2011, records show H.V. was taking Abilify and Clonidine.
Id. at 1 RFP CPS 038372. On January 18, 2011, H.V. had a very violent episode after becoming
angry with another boy. H.V. went throughout the house turning over furniture, breaking
pictures and window blinds, throwing chairs, and threatening to harm the other boy. The house
parents called the sheriff, who took H.V. into custody. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 038704-05.
At a court hearing on January 6, 2011, it was determined that H.V. would be placed with
his grandmother and he was placed there on January 24, 2011. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 032274.
However, that placement ended on May 31, 2011 when H.V. was moved to an emergency shelter
at a GRO in Lubbock due to his behaviors. Id. at DFPS009027953. Notes indicate that there
was a lot of conflict between H.V. and his sister, who had lived with the grandmother for years.
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Id. at 1 RFP CPS 036627. H.V.s level of care was decreased to Basic on May 31, 2011. Id. at 1
RFP CPS 036005. H.V. was prescribed Intuniv in July 2011. Id. at DFPS009028501-02.
J.V. did well at the GRO and, in January 2011, staff generally had no issues with his
behavior. See id. at 1 RFP CPS 032277. His level of care was reduced to Moderate in April
2011. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 032282, DFPS009028482. In an August 2011 psychological evaluation,
J.V. was noted to anger easily and throw tantrums when upset, but many of his behavior
difficulties had improved. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 036175. The psychologist did not find significant
support for J.V.s previous diagnosis of ADHD, but because he was taking psychotropic
medication, it was assumed that the ADHD was present but responding favorably to medication.
Id. at 1 RFP CPS 036174-75, 036178-79.
In January 2011, P.O. was enjoying the GRO and, other than a tantrum the first weekend
he was there, his behavior had been appropriate. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 037465. His level of care
was Moderate. Id. at DFPS009028474. He was described as obedient, helpful, and sweet-
natured. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 037466. He was taking Clonidine and Focalin. Id. at 1 RFP CPS
037469. P.O. underwent another psychological evaluation on August 30, 2011. His medications
were changed to Vyvanse and Risperdal. Staff reported that P.O. angered easily, particularly
when asked to do something he did not want to do. Although he occasionally screamed and
threw tantrums, he was more likely to be quiet when angry, and had told staff in a quiet voice
that he was going to kill them. When he was not upset or angry, he was sweet and would express
remorse for his actions. He did well on his medication regimen. The psychologist believed that
P.O. had failed to develop an appropriate attachment relationship to any caregiver due to the long
history of instability in his placements. He was diagnosed with ADHD, although the
psychologist said he did not find support for the diagnosis on the day of the examination and
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assumed that P.O.s medication was controlling the symptoms. His prognosis was fair to good
and it was recommended that he be placed for adoption with J.V. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 036437-49.
After the emergency shelter, H.V. returned to the GRO with his brothers and stayed there
for four months, until September 27, 2011, at which point he was moved to a therapeutic foster
group home. (Id. at DFPS009028503-04; PX 2015 at 90; D.E. 215 at 6). On October 14, 2011,
P.O. and J.V. were placed in a pre-adoptive placement in Wichita Falls with a single woman who
had worked for CPS for many years. J.V. initially did well in the placement, but P.O. had
problems from the beginning, and was defiant and not focusing in school. (DX 120 at 1 RFP
CPS 032735 (filed under seal)). J.V. was sad because he was never going to live with his
grandmother. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 032736-37. Six weeks after placement, the adoption disrupted
when the therapist told the adoptive mother that neither J.V. nor P.O. were ready for adoption.
P.O. had been urinating in the trashcan, wiping feces in the bathroom, and refusing to do his
homework. When the adoptive mother tried to redirect him, he was defiant. Id. at 1 RFP CPS
032738. In December 2011, P.O. was moved to the therapeutic foster group home where H.V.
was staying. P.O. was happy to see H.V., but sad about leaving the adoptive home. Id. at 1 RFP
CPS 032323. J.V. was taken to the Texas Boys Ranch and cried for half an hour because he had
to leave the adoptive home. J.V. told his caseworker that he was moved because he could not
behave and could not stop stealing. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 032323.
Following this second disrupted adoption, J.V. acted out in increasingly alarming and
violent ways. In February 2012, he was suspended from regular classes after he held a girl down
and told her he was going to rape her. He refused to follow directions or go to bed on time at
home. Id. at DFPS009028524. J.V. was discovered looking up rape and pornography on the
Internet and was suspected of huffing paint, although he denied it. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 036161.
123
On March 6, 2012, J.V. told his caseworker that he did not know why he was acting out, but then
said that he was acting out so that he would be moved to live with H.V. He also said that he
wanted to go back to his adoptive placement and asked why no one asked him about moving
before he was moved. Id. at DFPS009028527. A request to raise J.V.s level of care to
Specialized was submitted on March 7, 2012. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 031085.
J.V. was admitted to the Canyon Lakes Day Treatment Program on March 19, 2012
because of escalated behaviors and the threat of rape he made to the girl at school. Id. at 1 RFP
CPS 036060. On March 29, 2012, one of his therapists said J.V. might be acting out because he
wanted to return to his adoptive home and recommended his caseworker contact the adoptive
mother to ask about the possibility of adopting only J.V. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 032334. There is no
indication in the record that the adoptive mother was contacted about this possibility.
J.V. returned to the Texas Boys Ranch and, in May 2012, a psychological assessment
showed that he was still having behavior problems, the previous weekend stating he wanted to
kill himself and refused to eat, play, or take his medication. He was taking Vyvanse, Clonidine,
and Lexapro.37 He was still and focused during the assessment and produced drawings that were
well done and had significant detail. He was tearful and talked about being in trouble and feeling
he would not be able to start over. J.V. had significant emotional distress with symptoms
suggesting a major depressive disorder. The depression was believed to be a greater factor in his
difficult behavior than the ADHD. There were indications of depression and sadness related to
his experiences of abuse, neglect, loss or abandonment, and repeated placement changes and
37
Lexapro is an antidepressant used to treat anxiety in adult and major depressive disorder in adults and adolescents
who are at least 12 years old. Side effects include racing thoughts, unusual risk-taking behavior, and feelings of
extreme happiness or sadness. http://www.drugs.com/lexapro.html (last viewed July 7, 2015).
124
failed adoptions. According to the assessment, his acting out and sexualized behaviors may have
been attempts to get his needs met, using fantasy and seeking out ways of demonstrating strength
and power. It was believed he met the special education criteria in the category of emotional
disturbance due to sad mood, difficulty establishing and maintaining relationships, and
inappropriate behaviors and feelings under normal circumstances. Id. at RFP CPS 064556.
In May and June 2012, J.V. did better, but his level of care was raised to Specialized in
September 2012. Id. at DFPS009028411. In November 2012, J.V. did much better. His foster
mother commented that he would be an amazing only child. Id. at DFPS009028420. In March
2013, J.V. was succeeding at home and at school. His house parent did not think he had been
stealing and he had asked for an air freshener for his room because it smelled like urine. It was
considered a big step that he had admitted urinating in the closet. Id. at DFPS009028451.
In December 2011, in his first week in the group home with H.V., P.O. repeated episodes
of encopresis and did not shower. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 032321. By May 2012, P.O. was doing
much better and had developed a bond with his foster parents. He made great improvement with
his tantrums and was able to control his anger. He was taking Vyvanse, Risperdal, and Intuniv.
Id. at 1 RFP CPS 036468. P.O. received court-ordered neuropsychological evaluations in May
and June 2012 with an educational psychologist. P.O. was nine years old and in third grade.
P.O. had reached all developmental milestones, but continued to struggle with encopresis and
enuresis. His foster mother was most concerned about his lying and stealing. His behavior at
school had improved. He had no learning disabilities, but did have some areas of weakness that
interfered with learning to an extent. P.O. was described as a very complex child with many
negative experiences in his young life. The psychologist said there was no doubt that frequent
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placement changes interfered with his emotional and psychological health. He had learned to not
become too attached to people. His prognosis was guarded. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 036411-25.
P.O. stayed at that foster group home until he was placed for adoption in the home of his
paternal grandparents in December 2012. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 147612. It is unclear why placement
was not sought with the grandparents when P.O. first entered the DFPS system, considering that
the grandparents inquired about adopting P.O. as early as December 2004 when P.O. was not yet
two years old. Id. at DFPS009028101-04. Incredibly, P.O.s grandparents were not notified
until late 2012 that P.O. was in the States PMC and available for adoption. See id. at 1 RFP
CPS 153525. They had no contact from P.O. (or DFPS), and had been under the impression that
he was living with his aunt ever since being removed from his home. Id. Placing P.O. with his
grandparents eight years earlier might have saved P.O. years of trauma. Instead, he suffered
through ten placement changes and two failed adoptions. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 146624. He also
attended seven different elementary schools between kindergarten and third grade, where,
despite the upheaval, his school performance was overall good. See id. at 1 RFP CPS 035991.
He additionally had eight primary and secondary caseworkers. See id. at DFPS009027500,
009028630-97, 009028711-94.
H.V.s behavior improved in his more recent years in foster care. He struggled with
responding respectfully to his foster mother, but did respond to redirection by his foster father.
He was excited when P.O. moved to the foster group home. In December 2011, H.V. was taking
Seroquel, Intuniv, and Concerta. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 036582. In June 2012, P.O. moved into
H.V.s room at the group home, which seemed to go well. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 032352. H.V. was
sad when P.O. was placed in his grandparents house and said at that time that he wanted to be
adopted with J.V. Id. at DFPS009028428. In February 2013, CPS decided to place H.V. and
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J.V. separately for adoption. H.V. was angry and sad about the decision, but acknowledged that
it might be for the best. His behavior improved and he was no longer arguing with his foster
parents. Id. at DFPS009028429-32. By June 2014, a psychological assessment of H.V. showed
that he made tremendous progress. He no longer angered easily and did not typically exhibit
aggressive or destructive behaviors. He was diagnosed with Adjustment Disorder; it was noted
that while he showed some characteristics of ADHD, there was insufficient evidence to support a
diagnosis. His prognosis was good. Id. at DFPS009022130. As of August 2014, H.V. was
not taking any medications. Id. at DFPS009022099-100. Also in August 2014, H.V. was moved
to a foster home that was intended to be a permanent placement. H.V. was friends with the
familys biological son. Id. at DFPS009028196, 009022075. In his ten years in DFPS care,
H.V. experienced 13 placements and one failed adoption. See id. at 1 RFP CPS 146607. He
attended 11 schools in nine years, including five different schools while in the sixth grade, yet
remarkably managed to perform (sometimes exceptionally) well academically. See id. at 1 RFP
CPS 146634, DFPS00902210. He had eight primary and secondary caseworkers. See id. at
DFPS009028711-94.
A CPS placement review in J.V.s record indicates that during his visit to a psychologist
in January 2014, he made a sexual abuse outcry. Id. at DFPS009022102. The psychologists
assessment from that visit was not in the record and no other mentions of sexual abuse were
found. There is also no evidence in the record as to whether those allegations were investigated.
After that outcry, J.V., who had previously demonstrated troubling and inappropriate sexualized
behavior, remained in multiple-child facilities. As of August 2014, J.V. was living at the same
GRO, although there is a note that a potential adoptive family had been selected for him. Id. at
DFPS009022101. As of the end of the trial record, J.V. had experienced at least 13 placements
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and two failed adoptions during his time in care. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 146616. J.V. changed
schools nine times in nine years, but generally did well academically. See id. at 1 RFP CPS
14663. J.V. has had nine primary and secondary caseworkers. See id. at DFPS009028711-94,
009026196. Unfortunately, as Carter testified and the Court so finds, H.V.s and P.Os
experiences are typical . . . of the entire foster care system in the State of Texas, especially in
the PMC. (See D.E. 326 at 132-33, 194).
g. Z.H.
Z.H. is a class representative for the General Class and the Licensed Foster Care
Subclass. At the time of trial, Z.H. was 14 years old. He entered foster care in February 2009
after being abused and neglected by his mother, who had left him malnourished and was
insensitive to his medical and psychiatric needs. (DX 120 at DFPS #33580 (filed under seal)).
DFPS investigated multiple reports of abuse and neglect regarding Z.H. between 2003 and 2009.
See id. at DFPS #32996-97. In 2007, DFPS investigated a report of sexual abuse of Z.H. and his
younger brother. Id. at DFPS #37143, #32996. At that time, two unrelated men, both sex
offenders with backgrounds in prostitution who had allegedly stated that they liked little boys,
were living with Z.H.s mother. Id. Following the investigation, DFPS found RTB that Z.H.
was sexually abused by one of the men. Id. DFPS, though, Ruled Out neglectful supervision by
Z.H.s mother because she denied knowing [the] criminal history of her homeless friends. Id.
DFPS thus did not remove Z.H. at that time. There is no indication in Z.H.s 38,000 pages of
case files that he received therapy for that sexual abuse incident once he entered foster care.
Between 2007 and 2008, Z.H. was psychiatrically hospitalized on four occasions and had
been diagnosed with several significant psychological disorders. Id. Z.H. was removed from his
mothers custody in 2009, at the age of eight. The removal was precipitated by a hospitalization
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at the end of 2008, during which it was determined that he was malnourished and that his mother
was not administering his required medication. Id. at DFPS #33580. Z.H.s two brothers (five
years old and ten months old, respectively) were both removed at that time as well. Id. at DFPS
#32391, #33059. Shortly thereafter, the middle brother was placed with his biological father
while the youngest brother was placed with a foster family. Id. at 33093. Z.H. was placed in an
emergency shelter.
Over his six years in care, Z.H. was moved at least nine times, spending time in RTCs,
therapeutic foster family and group homes, emergency shelters, and psychiatric hospitals. See id.
at DFPS009116244-51. For most of his time in care, Z.H. was more than 100 miles from his
home county, which made sibling visits difficult. His very first placement, in February 2009,
was in a GRO emergency shelter, 60 miles from his home county. Id. at DFPS #32998. Z.H.
cycled through several more placements until he was eventually, in June 2009, placed in an RTC
150 miles from his home county. See id. at DFPS #33187-202, #33244, #33580,
DFPS009116244-47. In addition, many of Z.H.s placements were clearly inappropriate, certain
to fail from the outset. For example, despite his violent outbursts, violence toward himself, and
history of sexual and physical abuse, Z.H. was placed in at least two therapeutic foster family
and foster group homes with other foster children. See id. at DFPS009116749. Despite Z.H.s
history of sexual abuse, he was never placed in a single-child home as he should have been
according to Defendants and Plaintiffs experts. (See D.E. 328 at 161; D.E. 329 at 161; D.E.
303 at 8).
Z.H. mainly lived in RTCs where he was heavily medicated. See, e.g., id. at DFPS
#33588-89, #37320-34, DFPS009119337, 009119380. He was once admitted to a hospital
because he could not function due to being over medicated. Id. at DFPS #37282. Although
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Z.H. made some progress in his first RTC, he was moved after less than a year, partly because he
was being overmedicated and partly because the RTC could not meet his needs. The next RTC
was approximately 300 miles from his home county. See id. at DFPS009116247-48, 009116745.
Z.H. remained at that RTC for nearly three years, again making some progress, until he was
moved to another RTC, primarily to be closer to his home county. He remained there for
approximately one year. See id. at DFPS009116745. In June 2014, at the age of 14, he was
moved into a kinship placement in his home county. Since then, he has had contact with his
middle sibling, but not his youngest sibling, who was adopted out of care in May 2011. His
initial level of care was Specialized, although it was increased to Intense after four and a half
months in care. See id. at DFPS009116744-45. Z.H. fluctuated mostly between Specialized and
Intense throughout his time in care. See id.
Z.H.s first psychiatric evaluation in care, in March 2009, contained diagnoses of PTSD,
Mood Disorder, ADHD, and Reactive Attachment Disorder. Id. at DFPS #37147. The
evaluating psychologist noted that Z.H. was a victim of physical and sexual abuse. Id. Two of
the sentences that Z.H. completed during that evaluation were: The thing I do worst is not
getting hurt, and, The worst person who ever lived was my caseworker. Id. at DFPS
#37146. The psychologist stated that Z.H. needs to reside in a secure stable living
environment, and to be enrolled and remain in the same school throughout the school year in
order to receive the benefit of a consistent educational experience. Id. at DFPS #37149. The
psychologist recommended long-term placement in a foster-care home or residential group
home and noted that Z.H. will need intensive monitoring by caretakers due to risk of suicide.
Id. In April and June 2009, he was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, ADHD, Generalized
Anxiety Disorder, PTSD, and Oppositional Defiant Disorder. Id. at DFPS #37208, #37213. He
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continued to experience serious psychological and emotional issues throughout his time in care.
Repeated placement changes and caseworker turnoverZ.H. had at least nine different primary
and secondary caseworkerscontributed to disruptions in his medication regimen, which
resulted on at least one occasion in a psychiatric hospitalization that exacerbated Z.H.s already-
disturbed condition and behaviors. See id. at DFPS #33580.
While in care, Z.H. attended at least seven different schools across six counties. His
education records, though, appear to be incomplete and his IMPACT file contains conflicting
notes. Z.H.s Education Log in IMPACT does not reflect what schools he attended for the third,
fifth, or sixth grades. See id. at DFPS009118757-58. His Education Log seems to indicate that
Z.H. went directly from second grade to fourth grade, although there does not appear to be any
explanation for that in the record. See id. at DFPS009118757-58. Notes in his IMPACT file also
seem to say that Z.H. repeated the fourth grade in 2010-11, information absent from his
Education Log. See id. at DFPS009124720-25. Caseworkers notes in IMPACT indicate that
Z.H. attended schools on campus at different RTCs between fall of 2010 and spring of 2013. See
id. at DFPS009124637-25036. The notes, though, are inconsistent as to what grade Z.H. was
insome notes indicate that he was in sixth grade as early as September 2012, while others
indicate that he was still in fifth grade as late as September 2013. See id. at DFPS009124903,
009125020. In the fall of 2013, Z.H. was in the seventh grade. See id. at DFPS009126275-94.
In the fall of 2014, Z.H. entered the eighth grade. See id. at DFPS009124956-65. When Carter
evaluated him, in the summer of 2014, Z.H. was unable to read a second grade level book. (D.E.
326 at 99-100). He also had poor impulse control and was aggressive with both other children
and himself. Id. at 100-01. Carter found that Z.H. did not have a good sense of attachment, was
well below normal from a cognitive and school achievement standpoint, and was seriously
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disturbed. Id. at 100, 186. At the 2014 evaluation, Carter found that Z.H.s condition had not
appreciably improved since his 2012 evaluation. Id. at 186. Unfortunately, as Carter testified
and the Court so finds, Z.H.s experience is typical . . . of the entire foster care system in the
State of Texas, especially in the PMC. See id. at 132-33, 194.
h. K.E.
K.E. is a former class representative for the General Class and the Licensed Foster Care
Subclass.38 At the time of trial, K.E. was 19 years old. She aged out of care in 2013. (DX 120 at
1 RFP CPS 141226 (filed under seal)). She was removed from her mothers home in Odessa,
Texas in 2003 at age eight because of neglectful supervision, emotional abuse, and physical
neglect. Id. at DFPS #44605, 1 RFP CPS 140538-47. During her ten years in care, K.E. had
over 25 primary and secondary caseworkers. See id. at 1 RFP CPS 141859-62. She had at least
27 placements in a variety of settings, including psychiatric hospitals, therapeutic foster family
homes, therapeutic foster group homes, emergency shelters, GROs, and RTCs. Id. at 1 RFP CPS
141120, 142037, 1141778-81, 140191-92. K.E. also attended at least 15 schools all over the
State. Id. As with Z.H., K.E.s Education Logs are incomplete. There is no record of K.E.s
sixth or eighth grades and there are date gaps after leaving one school and beginning another.
See, e.g., id. at 1 RFP CPS 142602-06; 019904-07, 092721-25. In the 2008-09 school year
alone, K.E. was in 4 school districts. Id. at DFPS #47130.
The State placed K.E. and her three half-brothers in foster care at the same time in 2003.
During the initial investigation, her brothers admitted to physically abusing K.E, which K.E.s
mother confirmed. See id. at 1 RFP CPS 140545-46. K.E.s father was incarcerated at the time,
and K.E.s mother reported that K.E. was abused when she lived with her father. Id. at 1 RFP
38
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CPS 140547. DFPS found Reason To Believe that K.E.s mother neglectfully supervised all four
children and that K.E. was physically and emotionally abused. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 140717.
K.E. was initially placed in a therapeutic foster home with one of the brothers who had
physically abused her.39 She spent three months in that placement, during which time she was
hospitalized twice for being out of control. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 142037. In June 2003, after her
second hospitalization, CPS raised K.E.s level of care to Intense and moved her to an
emergency shelter. See id. CPS then placed her in an RTC approximately 270 miles from her
home county. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 141120. Not until after that placement change did CPS disallow
visits between K.E. and her brothers because of the earlier abuse. See id. at 1 RFP CPS 140594.
In August 2004, K.E.s three half-brothers were placed in the conservatorship of their biological
father and his wife.40 Id. at DFPS #46830-42. K.E. was placed in Texass PMC. See id.
CPS was notified that K.E. was sexually abused, likely by multiple perpetrators, before
entering care. Yet her case files do not indicate to what extent any of those allegations were
investigated. K.E.s first Common Application noted that she may have been sexually abused by
her biological fathers girlfriend. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 140710. Shortly after being placed at an
RTC in late 2003, K.E. made an outcry of sexual abuse against her brothers. See id. at 1 RFP
CPS 140726, 141829. Yet nowhere in K.E.s 38,000 pages of case files is there mention of a
sexual abuse investigation. There is also no record of K.E. receiving a medical examination in
connection with either of those allegations. Her next Common Application, which appears to
have been updated soon after her first one, stated that K.E.s sexual abuse by two of her brothers
39
The other two brothers were placed in a different therapeutic foster home.
40
The half-brothers had the same mother as K.E., but a different father who was married. The boys were placed
with their father and step-mother. Both of K.E.s parents were imprisoned at that time. K.E.s mother was
unavailable due to her incarceration, half-way house term, and home confinement for 2 years. Id. at DFPS #45352.
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had been confirmed.41 Id. at 1 RFP CPS 140726-29. The application also noted sexual abuse
by brothers and other adults as a factor to consider in determining K.E.s level of care. Id. at 1
RFP CPS 140728. K.E. also made an outcry of sexual abuse against her mother shortly after she
entered PMC in late 2004. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 141833. There is also no documentation of any
investigation into this allegation.
Despite documentation of sexual abuse allegations in 2003 and 2004, K.E.s September
2011 service plan review stated, No determination was ever made with regards to whether the
[sexual abuse by her brothers] ever took place, although K.E. insist[ed] that it did take place.
Id. at 1 RFP CPS 140646. It is unclear whether the inconsistencies in K.E.s record are a result
of sexual abuse investigations being overlooked, sloppy and careless caseworker notes, constant
caseworker turnover, or some combination of the above. Not until 2011 did a caseworker notice
that K.E.s files did not contain documentation of an investigation into the alleged sexual abuse
by her brothers, which prior caseworkers accepted had occurred. It seems that no caseworker
read K.E.s case files all the way through during her first eight years in care or else they would
have noticed the absence of this critical record.
K.E.s Common Applications are similarly inconsistent. When K.E. was initially
removed from her mothers home because of neglect, emotional abuse, and physical abuse, she
made no allegations of sexual abuse, nor was sexual abuse investigated. See id. at DFPS
#46137-49. Yet, by January 2009, K.E.s Common Application stated that she had been
removed because her mother failed to protect her from sexual abuse by K.E.s brothers. See id.
41
The application also stated that K.E. had to be removed from the home because the brothers who sexually abused
her still lived there. Her brothers were actually removed from the home and placed in foster care at the same time as
K.E. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 140726-29; 140538-47.
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at 1 RFP CPS 140873. Even singular documents were contradictory. For example, in July 2009,
K.E.s I See You worker noted that K.E. has eight siblings but that [o]nly one of [K.E.s]
siblings is in care. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 141766-67. In the very next paragraph the worker noted
that K.E.s siblings are all out of care. Id. Those conflicting statements were copied and
pasted into every contact narrative for the next five months. See id. at 1 RFP CPS 141767-75.
As K.E.s caseworkers continued to change, incidents that were previously described as
allegations came to be accepted as fact, while references to other incidents and allegations
disappeared completely. For instance, in June 2007, K.E.s I See You worker e-mailed K.E.s
primary caseworker to inform her that another child in K.E.s foster home placement hit K.E.
and bloodied her nose. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 141798. There is no further mention of this incident,
or any resulting medical attention, in the record. Further, in May 2012, K.E.s caseworker noted
that K.E. received stitches in her hand at the emergency room, after she broke a window at her
RTC. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 141661. Later that month, when K.E.s I See You worker visited, the
workers notes do not mention any injuries but instead state that K.E. had no marks or bruises.
Id. at 1 RFP CPS 141662. Neither worker appears to have followed up with the RTC about the
incident or K.E.s medical treatment.
Inadequate casework also contributed to DFPSs failure to find K.E. a permanent home.
Between mid-2003 and March 2005, DFPS identified K.E.s paternal aunt as a possible kinship
placement. Separate caseworker notes during this time said that the aunt would like to be
considered as a placement, that she would like to get to know K.E. and have K.E. live with her,
that she would not provide a home for her, that the aunt could not care for K.E., and that the aunt
made no effort to get to know K.E. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 140577, 140595, 141066, 141095, 141807,
141810, 018073019238-39, 019261, DFPS #45354, 46685, 46718, 46846-47. After 2005, K.E.s
135
aunt is no longer mentioned. The case files do not indicate a home study was ever conducted for
K.E.s aunt.
More disappointing, DFPS appears to have given up on K.E. almost as soon as she
entered care. Her second Common Application, updated in late 2003 when K.E. was eight years
old, stated, Long term foster care, [K.E.] will likely age out of care. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 140729.
In March 2005, when K.E. was ten years old, DFPS officially changed her long-term goal to
APPLA, six years before DFPS policy allows. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 140593. K.E.s October 2005
service plan review noted that adoption was not possible due to her emotional/behavioral
problems. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 140597-99. K.E. received no other adoption-related services or
efforts until 2009, when only after a court order did a caseworker note that K.E. would meet with
staff from the adoption unit to discuss adoption and everything that entails. See id. at 1 RFP
CPS 140623-25. Nothing came of that meeting; no other adoption efforts were made for K.E.
K.E. experienced little placement stability while in care. The only exception was a two
and a half year stay at her first RTC, between September 2003 and March 2006. See id. at 1 RFP
CPS 141120. K.E. was removed from that placement because the RTC felt that she had not
made any improvements while there. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 141778. When K.E. initially learned
that CPS was looking for a different placement for her, she became significantly more
aggressive. RTC staff reported that she was trying to sabotage the placement in order to stay
because [she was] afraid to leave. Id. DFPS still moved her 270 miles to a different RTC, more
than 500 miles from her home county, in the middle of the school year. Id. at 1 RFP CPS
141779-81. After that move, K.E. experienced 22 different placements over the following seven
years, never spending more than a few months in any facility. See id. at 1 RFP CPS 140191-92.
136
Further, many of K.E.s placements did not comport with her needs, exposing her to
multiple incidents of sexual and physical abuse. During most of K.E.s time in care, she
displayed extreme behaviors that require[d] 24-hour supervision. See, e.g., 1 RFP CPS
140591, 141781, 141844, 142748, 142809. Yet on multiple occasions, K.E. appeared to have no
supervision at all. For example, in February 2004, DFPS was notified of allegations of
inappropriate sexual conduct, and possible sexual abuse, between K.E. (eight years old at the
time) and three other female residents of her RTC, including allegations of oral sex and anal
penetration. Id. at DFPS #46603. The intake report reflected that the whereabouts of the staff on
duty at the time was unknown. Id. K.E.s case files contain no documentation or mention of
an investigation into these allegations.
That same year, in September 2004, DFPS was notified of different allegations of
inappropriate sexual conduct between K.E. (nine years old at the time) and a 14 year-old female
resident of the RTC that included digital penetration, which both children admitted. See id. at 1
RFP 7 RCCL 02151-58. The intake report notes that both children had a history of sexual acting
out. Id. at 1 RFP 7 RCCL 02154. RCCL investigated those allegations for possible neglectful
supervision, including making contact with K.E., the other child, and multiple RTC staff
members, but the contact is not described or summarized in the report. See id. 1 RFP 7 RCCL
02158. The investigation closed five days after it was initiated. Id. The report stated:
The alleged neglectful supervision was ruled out, because a preponderance of

evidence does not exist to support that the alleged neglectful supervision
occurred. The alleged perpetrator was an unknown alleged facility staff member.
The specific date and time frame of the alleged incident was unknown. The
alleged victims did not have a history of being sexual perpetrators. The alleged
victims have been separated, a safety plan has been put in place, and they were
receiving therapy. During the investigation, no indications of abuse or neglect
were found.
137
Id. Numerous statements in this report, including that K.E. and the other child involved did not
have a history of being sexual perpetrators, are misleading. DFPS refuses to track child-on-child
abuse, thus labeling children as sexual abuse perpetrators, instead investigating child-on-child
abuse for neglectful supervision. Therefore, it is impossible that any child in DFPSs system
would have a history of being sexual perpetrators. In the end, DFPS placed two children with a
sexual abuse history in close proximity (even though these children need single-child homes), both
children acknowledged the sexual incident, and RCCL Ruled Out any violation.
It is also not clear if K.E.s caseworkers were notified of incidents of sexualized conduct
and possible sexual abuse. There are no references to the 2004 incidents in K.E.s primary or
secondary caseworkers notes in. K.E.s service level throughout 2004 was Intense. See id. at 1
RFP CPS 140315-21.
After the 2004 incidents, as happens to many sexual abuse victims, K.E. became a sexual
aggressor. See, e.g. id. at 1 RFP CPS 141609, 141676, 141767. Yet her case files do not
indicate if she received therapeutic treatment to address sexual abuse and sexualized behavior
until late 2008. See id. at 1 RFP CPS 141756. Not until 2009, is sexual acting out mentioned
in her comprehensive treatment plan, which already listed anger/aggression/assaultive behavior
. . . suicidal ideation/gestures . . . depression . . . oppositional disorder . . . [and] impulse control.
Id. at DFPS #48311-15. DFPS changed her placement in mid-2009 due to sexually acting out.
Id. at 1 RFP CPS 141676; 141265-66. DFPS changed her placement again in December 2011
after she sexually assaulted a resident at one of her RTCs. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 141643.
K.E. also suffered multiple instances of child-on-child physical abuse while in care,
eventually becoming an aggressor in that regard as well. See e.g., id. at 1 RFP CPS 141756,
141778, 142756, 142780. Carter testified that K.E. became an aggressor toward others because
138
she had been victimized considerably while in State care. (See D.E. 326 at 103-07). There
was also at least one allegation by K.E. that she had been physically abused during a restraint by
an RTC staff member; that allegation was adequately investigated before being Ruled Out. (DX
120 at RCCL000000289-428 (filed under seal)).
When K.E. entered care, she had already been diagnosed with Explosive Disorder, for
which her mother received Social Security benefits. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 140546-47. According to
her second grade teacher, K.E.s Explosive Disorder was a result of environmental, not genetic,
factors. Id. In 2003, during K.E.s initial evaluation, a psychologist diagnosed her with Conduct
Disorder, ADHD, and Learning Disorder. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 140578. The psychologist also
noted K.E.s prior diagnosis of Explosive Disorder. K.E.s initial level of care was Specialized,
though it fluctuated primarily between Specialized and Intense throughout her time in care. See
id. at 1 RFP CPS 140306-415. By 2008, K.E. was diagnosed with Oppositional Defiant
Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, ADHD, Learning Disorder (not otherwise specified) and Relational
Problem (not otherwise specified), although she was no longer diagnosed with Explosive
Disorder. Id. at DFPS #47779. Two months later, though, upon admission to a psychiatric
hospital, she was only diagnosed with Bipolar Depression and Questionable PTSD. Id. at
DFPS #47785.
K.E.s education also suffered while she was in care. Educational disruptions occurred
primarily after 2006 when K.E. was discharged from her first RTC. Her initial service plan
stated that she was developmental[ly] on target. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 140579. When K.E. was in
the second grade, she performed at a first grade level, but her teacher told CPS that K.E. would
make [educational] progress with the right stimulation. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 140546-47. In third
grade, K.E. had As and Bs in all subjects except science. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 141825. Her
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caseworker noted that K.E. maintained very good grades and had no absences in the fourth
grade. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 141845. After 2006, however, her intellectual functioning deteriorated,
although it is difficult to gauge because of her refusal to cooperate with psychological testing.
See id. at DFPS #47696-98, 47702-05, 47770-77, 47864. By 2009, at age 14, K.E. was
academically stalled at a second-grade level. See id. at DFPS #48306-11. She failed the tenth
grade due to excessive absences caused by psychiatric hospital stays, and a refusal to do make-up
work. See id. at 1 RFP CPS 141643-44, 141723.
Carter testified that K.E. had been in so many placements that she stopped counting
because the number no longer mattered to her. (D.E. 326 at 104). K.E. was often removed from
placements for behaviors that her caregivers could not handle, placed in more restrictive
environments until her level of care would drop, and then moved back to less restrictive
environments, whereupon the cycle repeated. See id. at DFPS #44886-938. When K.E. was in
foster home placements, rather than RTCs, K.E. was never placed in a single-child home, as
Defendants and Plaintiffs experts testified that a child with a history of physical and sexual
abuse and aggression should have been. (See D.E. 328 at 161; D.E. 329 at 161; D.E. 303 at 8).
When placed at RTCs, K.E. often shared rooms with other girls. In March of 2013, after ten
years in care, K.E. turned 18 and aged out of the system. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 141226. In short,
K.E.s time in care was marked by educational disruptions, abuse, and numerous placements
changes often to facilities unfit for her needs. Unfortunately, as Carter testified and the Court so
finds, K.E.s experience is typical . . . of the entire foster care system in the State of Texas,
especially in the PMC. (See D.E. 326 at 132-33, 194).
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i. L.H. and C.H.
L.H. and C.H. are former class representatives for the General Class, the Licensed Foster
Care Subclass, and the Basic Care GRO Subclass.42 L.H. and C.H. are sisters who are part of an
eight-sibling group from San Benito, Texas. They were 16 and 12 years old respectively at the
time of trial. See id. at 1 RFP CPS 115993. The sibling groups case files in the record,
numbering approximately 16,500 pages, are undoubtedly incomplete. First, no RCCL files,
which are kept in the CLASS database, were provided.43 Second, the case files for this eight-
member group are significantly shorter than those for a single foster child (e.g., M.D.s was
33,000 pages, J.S.s was 40,000 pages), which suggest that the IMPACT and External files are
incomplete. All eight children are discussed at once even though they were often placed
separately and had different caseworkers, making the files difficult to follow. Both L.H. and
C.H. received Basic-level services for most of their time in care, although C.H. spent some time
at Moderate. See id. at 1 RFP CPS 131917-47, 132327.
DFPS became involved in L.H.s life in 2001 when CPS found RTB that her mother
neglectfully supervised L.H., her older brother, and younger sister. Id. at DFPS009984773. CPS
provided services until September 2002. During that time, CPS again found RTB neglectful
supervision of L.H. and her two siblings. Id. In February 2003, a report alleged that four
children, including L.H. and C.H., were left at home unsupervised and were hungry and dirty.
42
43
RCCL files pertaining to abuse and neglect investigations are organized in CLASS, which stands for Child Care
Licensing Automation Support System. CLASS is the electronic case file system utilized by CCL (similar to the
IMPACT system utilized by CPS). (D.E. 328 at 112-13; see also DFPS, Definition of Terms,
http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/handbooks/Licensing/Files/LPPH_px_ Definitions_of_Terms.asp (last visited December
16, 2015).
141
Id. at 1 RFP CPS 122869, 122877. The children were removed that day, but were returned in
April 2004. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 122961, DFPS009984773. The children were removed again in
November 2004 when CPS received a report that the mother struck C.H., who was less than two
years old, due to frustration with her eldest son. Id. 1 RFP CPS 122905. The children were
returned to the mother in November 2005. The children cycled in and out of their mothers care
until CPS removed them in May 2008, moving them into separate emergency placements. Id. at
DFPS009984766-832, 1 RFP CPS 115863, 122099, 123292-93, 123347, 123506, 123533,
125554. L.H. and C.H. entered Texass PMC in April 2009. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 130056-57. L.H.
and C.H. shuttled through kinship placements (including their mother), foster family homes,
foster group homes, and a GRO until they returned to their mother in May 2013. Id. at 1 RFP
CPS 123413-17, 123441-44, 123480-513, 123529-37, 123626-33, 125427. Unlike many of the
Named Plaintiffs, L.H. and C.H. remained geographically close to, and in touch with, their
siblings and family while in care. See e.g. id. at 1 RFP CPS 116582, 116668-709, 122322.
After she was removed in 2003, L.H. claimed that her brother physically abused her and
her sister and that he used to pick up her shirt and pull down her pants and touch her. It is
unclear if these allegations were formally investigated. In 2003, CPS did investigate an incident,
but Ruled Out any misconduct. See id. at 1 RFP CPS 124782, 125007. L.H. was forensically
interviewed, but did not make any indication that she was ever sexually abused and seemed to
change the subject often to avoid answering some questions. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 124838. Notes
elsewhere in the case files indicate that CPS confirmed that the brother had sexually molest[ed]
other children, without specifying whom, and was himself a victim of sexual abuse. See id. at
DFPS009984771, 1 RFP CPS 124667.
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In July 2008, L.H. was diagnosed with General Anxiety Disorder. Id. at 1 RFP CPS
131531. In August 2008, one of the siblings made allegations of sexual abuse against their
mothers boyfriend stating that the boyfriend had bitten her and touched her inappropriately. Id.
at 1 RFP CPS 120562, 120568. Another sibling alleged that she saw her mother and her
mothers boyfriend take off their clothes and start kissing and that she saw the boyfriend touch
three of the other siblings inappropriately, including C.H. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 120568-69.
Following an investigation, CPS found RTB neglectful supervision and sexual abuse of two of
the siblings (not including C.H.), but R/O abuse and neglect as to the other children. See id. at 1
RFP CPS 117218, 116168. The investigator noted significant risk factors in the mothers home,
but overall found little risk of further abuse because the children were in foster care and the
mothers boyfriend had been arrested. Id. Their mother continued to be allowed unsupervised
weekend and overnight visits with her children.
In September 2008, at the age of six, C.H. was placed in a therapeutic foster home
separate from her siblings because she bullied them. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 123295. In April 2009,
C.H. was diagnosed with ADHD, Anxiety, and Mood Disorder. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 131533.
In May 2009, a new caseworker retrieved C.H. and her sister from an overnight visitation
with their mother. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 120577. Both girls made a sexual abuse outcry against their
mother. Id. Although the caseworker appeared to be aware that the boyfriend was not supposed
to have access to the children, she did not know about the past sexual abuse allegations. See id.
The boyfriend told investigators that the mother allowed him access to her children and admitted
that he and the mother spent a night at a hotel with her children. Id. at DFPS00998257. The
caseworker concluded that the children were at an ongoing risk of sexual abuse. See id. at 1 RFP
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CPS 120577. The mother and boyfriend both appear to have been arrested following the outcry.
See id. at DFPS009985222.
CPS investigated the allegations and found RTB neglectful supervision of all eight
siblings by their mother, but UTD sexual abuse of any of the children by either the mother or her
boyfriend. See id. at DFPS009985257-58, 1 RFP CPS 116146-47. The children did not make a
further outcry of abuse when interviewed by an investigator, but they also denied having had
contact with their mothers boyfriend even though the boyfriend admitted he had spent nights
with the children when they visited their mother on weekends. See id. at 1 RFP CPS 116168. In
a post-investigation risk assessment report, CPS noted that the childrens mother established a
pattern of abuse. Id. at DFPS009985258. The report found that the mother created an extreme
level of risk because she had been deceitful [with] the Department, had allowed a previously
RTBd perpetrator around the children, and continued to have a relationship with a man who
sexually abused her children. Id. at DFPS009985261-62. In what appears to be a separate
investigation of the same allegations, CPS found RTB sexual abuse of two of the siblings, but
not L.H. or C.H., by the mothers boyfriend. See id. at DFPS009985217.
In June 2009, CPS moved C.H. and several siblings, but not L.H., into a therapeutic
foster family home in Brownsville. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 131533. CPS returned L.H. and three
siblings to their mother in October. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 131873. The following day, the mother
moved into an emergency shelter in Brownsville with the children. Id. C.H. and three siblings
remained in the foster home and had weekly visits with the other siblings and their mother. See
id. at 1 RFP CPS 116157. In November 2009, C.H.s foster parents requested that her level of
care be increased because she misbehaved and struggled at school. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 131871.
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In January 2010, a school nurse visited L.H. at home and found her and her siblings
outside barefoot without jackets. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 116130. She also observed that they
were dirty, appeared malnourished, and that there was little food in the home. Id. The nurse
called statewide intake to report her observations. The intake report noted that the mothers
boyfriend was charged with abusing L.H. and another sibling, but it was unknown how [the
boyfriend] was abusing them. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 116170. The report also noted that the
boyfriend was not supposed to be around the children, but was still in the picture. Id. at
116170. After an investigation, CPS Ruled Out all allegations of abuse and neglect, and notified
the nurse that CPS will not be offering services to the family at this time. Id. at 1 RFP CPS
116132-34, 116171-74. During that investigation, L.H. informed the investigator that she was
abused while in foster care seven years earlier by another child in the foster home and she
reported the abuse to her foster mother, but nothing was done about it. Id. at 1 RFP CPS
116157. There is no mention of an investigation into those allegations.
In February 2010, L.H. was placed in a therapeutic foster group home, along with one of
her younger brothers. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 123355-57. C.H. and two other siblings were not
moved. The mother was still allowed to visit with all of her children each Saturday at a nearby
mall. See, e.g., id. at 1 RFP CPS 132057-65.
A new caseworker began working on L.H. and C.H.s cases in July 2010. Id. at 1 RFP
CPS 132124. At their first meeting, the mother said that the frequent caseworker changes made
it difficult to know who was the actual caseworker. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 132123. On July 8, the
childrens therapist told the caseworker that the siblings needed to be moved all together, that
C.H.s foster mother was a bad parent, and that she was doing more damage to the children than
the alternative of adjusting to a new environment with all the siblings. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 132128.
145
L.H., C.H., and all of their siblings except the oldest brother were placed in a GRO on
July 19, 2010 despite being Basic-level children. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 123302. The GRO was the
only placement available that allowed the sibling group to remain intact. Vasquez, the attorney
ad litem and next friend for L.H. and C.H., advocated that they be placed together because their
ongoing trauma would have worsened if DFPS disrupted their tight sibling relationshipsthe
only source of stability in their lives. (D.E. 188 at 161). Vasquez visited L.H. and C.H. multiple
times in that placement. Id. at 167-68. She described the GRO as an institution, a facility that
just house[d] them, with blank walls and no personalization. Id. Vasquez testified that the
GRO was not at all like a home, and that the children did not view it as one, but was instead a
box that [they were] thrown into. Id.
In August 2010, L.H. and C.H.s caseworker visited them at the GRO. (DX 120 at 1 RFP
CPS 132147 (filed under seal)). C.H. was anxious about wanting to return to the foster home
where she had previously lived and refused to discuss anything else. Id. L.H. also stated that she
missed her previous foster parent, but otherwise informed her caseworker that she liked the new
placement. Id. L.H. also discussed the GROs many strict rules and very specific, detailed
schedules for all of the childrens activities. See id. The siblings spent most of the day in their
own room and were not allowed to visit each others rooms. Id. Two of their siblings struggled
to adjust to the strict rules and the caseworker tried to get [the caregiver] to be a little more
lenient with the rules and be more understanding about [the childrens] move and give them
some time to adjust, but the caregiver was adamant about his methods. Id. The children
continued to have weekly visits with their mother. See id. at 1 RFP CPS 132216.
L.H. and three other siblings returned to their mother as a monitored placement in
January 2012. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 132256. C.H. and two other siblings were placed with a
146
maternal aunt who lived in the same city. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 123306. In March 2012, L.H. was
arrested after a fight broke out between L.H. and her mother. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 120600. On the
way to the police station, L.H. said that the fight started because her mother told L.H. to take
nude photographs of her mother to send to the mothers boyfriend. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 125111.
L.H. was released from police custody the same day. Id. CPS moved the children to their aunts
home a few days later. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 124564, 125115-16. CPS investigated the allegations,
which the mother confirmed, and made an RTB disposition. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 121433, 125116.
In April 2012, L.H., C.H., and their siblings were reunited and living with their maternal
aunt. See id. at 1 RFP CPS 132346. However, their mother was regularly present in the home.
Their mother was arrested for Assault on a Minor/Family Member after she got in an argument
with the aunts 15-year-old daughter. See id. While in their aunts care, the children reported
that their cousins were verbally and physically aggressive toward them. Id. Their mother also
alleged that her niece was abusing the children and using illegal drugs and had exposed L.H. to
those drugs as well. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 132249. During an investigation into these allegations,
L.H. admitted that she smoked with her cousin, but was not sure whether it was marijuana or a
regular cigarette. Id. The caseworker had L.H. drug-tested and made arrangements to move the
children. Id. In May 2012, L.H., C.H., and their siblings (except the oldest brother) were moved
back to their previous GRO. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 132347-52.
In June 2012, the caseworker transported L.H. and C.H. to visit their uncle in Hitchcock,
Texas, in hopes that they could be transitioned into a kinship placement with him. Id. at 1 RFP
CPS 132337. It is unclear why DFPS wanted to place the children with the uncle, as an October
2010 home assessment recommended not placing the children with him due to, among other
factors, his precarious financial situation, his unstable romantic relationship, and his uncertain
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immigration status. See id. at 1 RFP CPS 116539-56. It does not appear that another home
assessment was completed. At one visit during the transition stage, the maternal uncle cut the
visit short because C.H. would not stop crying. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 132194-95.
On August 28, 2012, a court terminated parental rights over L.H., C.H., and five of their
siblings. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 122140, 132173-78. In October 2012, their mothers rights were
reinstated after appeal, although the children were not to be returned to the mother at that time.
Id. The children continued to live at the GRO with reunification and alternative relative
placement as their permanency goals. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 132184, 122139. In December, CPS
allowed visitation with their mother. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 132170. That month the children and
their mother flew to Houston to spend Christmas break with the uncle. Id. The Departments
plan was to place the children with their uncle pending a new home study. Id. During the
extended visit, however, the uncle locked L.H. and C.H.s younger sister in the bathroom for an
unknown amount of time after she started to cry during a scary movie, and the uncle threatened
to hit her with a riding crop. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 120614. The caseworkers report from that date
expressed grave concern regarding these reported statements at the childrens uncles home, to
which they will be going within [the] month. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 120617. An investigation was
opened, but the service plan for L.H. and C.H. completed on January 16, 2013, made no mention
of the allegations or impending change in the childrens placement. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 122140.
In February 2013, the caseworker noted that the children had mixed feelings about living
with their uncle because he curses too much and is very strict. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 132371.
Nonetheless, the department still sought to place the L.H., C.H., and their siblings with their
uncle, who stated his willingness to take care of all of children except the eldest brother. Id. at 1
RFP CPS 132370-76. Additionally, the caseworker noted that their mother moved into the
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uncles house. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 132354. In March, the caseworker wrote that the children were
not moved into the uncles home as planned due to the open investigation, which made the
children, especially L.H., visibly upset. See id. at 1 RFP CPS 132354. After the investigator
Ruled Out allegations of abuse, CPS again moved toward placing the children with their uncle.
See id. at 1 RFP CPS 132355.
On April 9, 2013, the children were placed with the uncle, who signed a kinship
agreement. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 123309, 132378. Days later, the uncle reported to CPS that the
childrens mother had taken all of the children to another relatives home and did not bring their
medication. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 132380. On April 30, 2013, the uncle contacted the caseworker
and said he no longer wanted legal custody of the children. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 132379. That
same day, C.H., L.H., and their siblings were placed with their mother. Id. at 1 RFP CPS
123318. The report for each child stated:
This placement is not the most appropriate to meet this childs needs but there are
no other acceptable placement[s]. The Department has diligently made efforts to
place with relatives, terminated [sic] parents rights but without success. Court
has ordered that children remain with [their mother] and the Department will
continue to monitor until dismissal date of 6/14/13.
See, e.g., id. at 1 RFP CPS 123318. The report for each child further noted that it was unknown
if this placement will be able to meet the childs long term needs and that DFPS was not in
favor [of leaving] the children with [their mother]; however, court and attorneys were all in
agreement that no other placement was available and it would be too traumatic to remove the
children and place in foster care. Id. On May 8, 2013, the caseworker appears to have visited
the children for the last time and noted that the mother continued to have a hard time ensuring
that her house is well kept and to demonstrate that she is not able to cope with the number of
children that she has. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 121564.
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Between L.H.s first removal from her mother in 2002, and her eventual return in 2013,
she experienced 13 placements. C.H., who was born in 2002, had 15 placements over the same
period. Despite being Basic-level children, they spent a significant amount of time in a GRO.
L.H. attended at least 12 schools between pre-kindergarten and eighth grade, including three
different schools during seventh grade. C.H. attended at least eight schools between pre-
kindergarten and fourth grade, including five different schools during fourth grade. Between
2008 and 2013, L.H. and C.H. had at least eight primary and secondary caseworkers. See id. at 1
RFP CPS 125069-843. Their caseworkers did not visit them regularly, and often wrote short,
recycled, and uninformative notes after visits. See, e.g., id. at 1 RFP CPS 131940, 132062,
132223-93, 132322-76. Carter did not review L.H.s or C.H.s case files, or interview them.
j. J.R., M.R., and S.R.
J.R., M.R., and S.R. are former class representatives for the General Class.44 J.R. (six
months old), M.R. (five years old), and S.R. (six years old) were removed from their mother in
June 2010 after J.R. was hospitalized with seizures because her mother failed to properly mix her
baby formula. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 71031-37. The mother was determined to have physically
neglected and neglectfully supervised J.R. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 71079. The three children were in
foster care for approximately three years before they were adopted by their maternal aunt. Yet,
during that relatively short period, they had 19 caseworkers.
The three siblings were usually placed together, although not initially. After being
discharged from the hospital, infant J.R. was placed with a relative, but was moved within ten
days due to a risk of abuse. She was placed with a therapeutic foster family, but after four days
of continuous crying, the family requested her removal. J.R. was then placed in an emergency
44
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shelter at a San Antonio GRO until her aunt could take care of her. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 71031-37.
S.R. was originally placed at an emergency shelter at a GRO in Tyler, Texas. Id. at 1 RFP CPS
71407. M.R. was originally placed with a relative in Houston, but was quickly moved to his
maternal aunts home. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 71419-23. Each child spent fewer than six months in
care with someone other than a family member. Except for emergency placements, J.R. and S.R.
were placed in the Houston area. M.R.s placements were all in Houston. Because they were so
young while in care, their education was not disturbed.
CPS determined that the childrens mother was unable to care for them due to her own
mental health problems. Both S.R. and M.R. were Basic-level children, while J.R. was Moderate
because of her congenital heart defect and neurological problems. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 71555. S.R.
was diagnosed with developmental problems of unknown cause, in part because she did not
speak at age five. S.R. and J.R. were both special needs children and characterized as autistic.
Id. at 1 RFP CPS 72480. M.R. had no health issues. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 71686. Genetic testing
was recommended for S.R. in July 2010 and ordered by the Court in August 2010, but the
records do not reflect that the testing was ever performed. Psychological evaluations were
recognized as necessary for all the children in June 2010, but evaluations were not performed
until June 2012. See Id. at 1 RFP CPS 72498, 075450-55. The evaluation determined that S.R.
had a full scale IQ of 50, along with significant developmental delays and was diagnosed with
ADHD and mental retardation. Id. J.R was determined to be functioning at an 11-month-old
level, although she was two and a half years old. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 075705-09. J.R. was
diagnosed with Pervasive Development Disorder.
In August 2011, one of the childrens caseworkers stated in S.R.s Childs Service Plan,
caseworker will ensure that child is referred for a psychological assessment to ensure that all of
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his [sic] mental health needs are met. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 108213. The next Plan, done by a
different worker, in December 2011 says, should the child require additional/testing
evaluations, the caregiver will schedule the appointment and provide the agency with the
completed report. The Plan does not indicate that any mental health evaluations took place in
the three months between Plans, nor is there a report in the files. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 108318-23.
Similar disjointed records exist for J.R. See id. at 1 RFP CPS 108349-60. It appears that as the
caseworkers changed, the need for psychological evaluations was overlooked until the change of
placement to a foster family caused the issue to come up again. Unfortunately, as Carter testified
and the Court so finds, J.R.s, M.R.s, and S.R.s experiences are typical . . . of the entire foster
care system in the State of Texas, especially in the PMC. (See D.E. at 132-33, 188, 194).
k. S.S.
S.S. is a former class representative for the General Class.45 At the time of trial, S.S. was
11 years old. The records provided to the Court on S.S. are incomplete. They are only 776
pages long, which includes files on her father and one of her brothers. The Court was supplied
with only External files, no IMPACT or RCCL files. As a result, the Courts ability to evaluate
the casework for S.S., as well as her experience in foster care, is substantially impaired.
S.S. was eight years old in 2011 when she made an outcry that her 14-year-old brother
had been sexually abusing her for four years. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 163969-79. S.S.s parents
contacted the police and CPS after the mother had S.S. examined by a doctor in Mexico. Id. at 1
RFP CPS 163861. The family lived in the Brownsville area; the parents were separated and the
children lived with their father. During CPSs investigation, S.S. lived with an aunt and uncle in
45
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Los Fresnos, Texas, and her brother was in a Houston emergency shelter. Id. at 1 RFP CPS
163912-13, 164027.
S.S.s August 2011 Placement Summary reflected an immediate need for counseling. Id.
at 1 RFP CPS 164464-66. That same report identified a therapist and states, needs initial visit.
Id. Yet the Service Plan for S.S. dated September 12, 2011 does not mention any therapy or
counseling. It only notes that S.S. is being watched closely to determine if she has any
specialized emotional needs as a result of being sexually abused. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 164015. A
year later in June 2012, S.S. still did not have regular therapy even though it was needed to
address any emotional or behavioral effects that [S.S.] may be experiencing as a result of the
abuse she suffered . . . . Id. at 1 RFP CPS 164153. The Court cannot determine whether the
absence of therapy for an eight-year-old girl who was sexually abused for half her life was the
result of overloaded caseworkers or otherwise. The available records do not reflect the
frequency of S.S.s contact with her caseworkers or any effort to arrange therapy.
The records do reflect that DFPS found RTB neglectful supervision by the father as to
S.S. and one of her brothers, RTB medical neglect by the father as to one of S.S.s brothers, and
RTB sexual abuse by the father as to one of S.S.s brothers when he was five years old. Id. at 1
RFP CPS 164052, 163932. Yet DFPS did not oppose returning the son to the father, as long as
S.S. was not present. See id. at 1 RFP CPS 164046-50. S.S.s brother was returned to the
fathers custody by Court Order dated June 20, 2012. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 164161-65.
S.S. entered PMC in June 2012. A year later, S.S. was moved to the substitute care of her
aunt and uncle with standard visitation by her father. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 164221-36. It is not
clear if S.S. was the only child in her aunts and uncles home, as Defendants and Plaintiffs
experts agreed is necessary for sexually abused children. (See D.E. 328 at 161; D.E. 329 at 161;
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D.E. 303 at 8). Overall, S.S. was in care for two years and was placed within 15 miles of her
father and siblings. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 164472. S.S. changed schools during the summer break in
2011 between first and second grade and remained in that school until third grade when she
moved in with her aunt and uncle. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 164476. Carter did not review S.S.s case
files, or interview her.
l. A.R.
A.R. is a class representative for the General Class. At the time of trial, A.R. was two
years old. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 162647. She was born prematurely to a mother who smoked
marijuana while she was pregnant. A.R.s parents did not marry and had a volatile relationship
that exposed A.R. to drugs and to domestic chaos and arguments. A.R. came into foster care in
November 2011, at five months old, because of a neglectful supervision complaint placed by
hospital staff. A.R. was removed after she fell out of her car seat onto the pavement and
sustained multiple injuries, including a head injury. A.R.s mother did not strap A.R. into the car
seat and was not using the car seats carrying handle when the mother had a seizure and dropped
the seat causing A.R. to fall into the street. A.R.s mother had a long-standing seizure disorder,
but did not take medication. Id. at DFPS009071852-53. DFPS found RTB neglectful
supervision, but R/O physical abuse. Id. at DFPS009073216.
A.R. first moved into a foster family home, where she remained for a year and a half. Id.
at 1 RFP CPS 168864. She then transferred to a kinship placement with her paternal uncle and
his wife. Id. While there, A.R. developed extreme tantrums that included throwing objects,
extreme anger with screaming fits, violent responses to being denied anything, and food stealing
and overeating to an extreme degree. See, e.g., id. at 1 RFP CPS 169153. The placement fell
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through after a year, and A.R. returned to her original foster family, where she stayed until that
family adopted her in April 2014. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 168859-63, DFPS009074287.
During her time in care, A.R. was placed within 50 miles of her parents and saw them
during supervised visits. A.R. had an older half-brother who was voluntarily placed with their
maternal grandmother. A.R. had visits with him while she was in care. Her level of care was
Basic much of the time, but increased to Moderate for a period. Id. at 1 RFP CPS 168865. As
with the other Named Plaintiffs, A.R.s case files were often incorrect and inconsistent. For
example, one of A.R.s Service Plans noted that she was an only child, even though the same
Plan mentioned that she had a relationship with her brother and identified him by name.
Compare id. at 1 RFP CPS 168833, 168837, with 168856.
Unlike many of the Named Plaintiffs, A.R.s time in foster care was relatively short. She
was adopted three and a half years after being placed in care. A.R. had the same caseworker for
most of her time in care, but when A.R.s case was transferred to a new caseworker, the worker
admitted to the foster family that she had not seen A.R.s file. See DFPS009074339-41. Carter
did not review A.R.s case files, or interview her.
III. PRELIMINARY ISSUES
Defendants contend that this lawsuit is precluded for a number of reasons: (1) Named
Plaintiffs lack standing; (2) class certification is improper; (3) this Court should follow the
abstention doctrine; and (4) the suit is moot because some Named Plaintiffs are no longer in care.
The Court reaffirms its previous rulings on standing, class certification, and abstention, see M.D.
II, 294 F.R.D. 7, and finds that the claims of the General Class, the Licensed Foster Care
Subclass, and the Foster Group Home Subclass are not moot.
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In their post-trial brief, Defendants seem to assert that Plaintiffs lack standing. However,
they fail to make an actual argument to this effect. (D.E. 359 at 51-52). Instead, without an
explanation, Defendants cite three seminal standing cases and declare that Plaintiffs do not meet
their requirements. Id. The Court is not convinced and reasserts its finding that Named
Plaintiffs have standing. In a similar cursory manner, Defendants revisit their class certification
and abstention arguments, which this Court has already decided. Id. at 50-52. The Court
certified the General Class and three of four subclasses after conducting the rigorous analysis
that Fed. R. Civ. P. 23(a) and Wal-Mart require. M.D. II, 294 F.R.D. 7. Defendants have not
given this Court any reason to amend its prior decision. Likewise, Defendants have not
presented new evidence or arguments that convince the Court to overturn its holding that
abstention is not appropriate under Younger or Burford. See M.D. v. Perry, 799 F. Supp. 2d 712
(S.D. Tex. 2011).
Defendants raised one new issue, intimating that some Named Plaintiffs are no longer
appropriate class representatives. (D.E. 360 at 47-49). Indeed, some have been removed from
foster care. See id. Generally, that would moot those Named Plaintiffs claims and preclude
them from meeting the case or controversy requirement for standing. See U.S. Parole Commn
v. Geraghty, 445 U.S. 388, 396 (1980); Fontenot v. McCraw, 777 F.3d 741, 747 (5th Cir. 2015).
Named Plaintiffs who lack standing are usually dismissed from the case and cannot serve as
class representatives, thus causing class decertification. The Court holds that decertification is
not proper for the General Class, the Licensed Foster Care Subclass, or the Foster Group Home
Subclass. However, decertification is proper for the Basic Care GRO Subclass.
Seven Named PlaintiffsM.D., S.A., A.M., J.S., H.V., Z.H., and A.R.representing the
General Class, the Licensed Foster Care Subclass, and the Foster Group Home Subclass, were in
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their respective classes when they were certified on August 27, 2013. M.D. II, 294 F.R.D. 7. It
is well settled that upon class certification, the unnamed class members acquired a legal status
separate from the interest asserted by [the Named Plaintiffs]. Zeidman v. J. Ray McDermott,
651 F.2d 1030, 1045 (5th Cir. 1981) (quoting Sosna v. Iowa, 419 U.S. 393, 399 (1975)). In
essence, the act of certification brought the unnamed members of the class before the court for
Article III purposes; so long as their claims [are] justiciable, the mootness of the original named
plaintiffs claim would not require dismissal. Zeidman, 651 F.2d at 1045. The Court finds that
the case and controversy remains very much alive for the unnamed class members who are still
in the certified classes. Sosna, 419 U.S. at 401. As a result, the General Class, the Licensed
Foster Care Subclass, and the Foster Group Home Subclass have adequate representatives and
remain certified.
Before discussing the Basic Care GRO Subclass, the Court notes that D.I. remains an
adequate representative of the General Class and the Licensed Foster Care Subclass under the
relation back doctrine. The doctrine applies in two situations: (1) where named plaintiffs
substantive claims are by their nature . . . so transitory that no single named plaintiff with such a
claim could maintain a justiciable case long enough to procure a decision on class certification;
and (2) when individual named plaintiffs claims are mooted by the defendants purposive
acts. Zeidman, 651 F.2d at 1050. In the second case, the relation back doctrine prevents
defendants from purposely avoiding litigation on legitimate class claims. See Sandoz v. Cingular
Wireless, 553 F.3d 913, 919 (5th Cir. 2008). The Court finds that the relation back doctrine
applies here under the second exception. Defendants purposely picked off D.I. in the hope of
mooting his claims. Zeidman, 651 F.2d at 1050. Buried in D.I.s case files are handwritten notes
on his May 30, 2012 Adoption Preparation Form, which read: *Hes under the Childs [sic]
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Rights Lawsuit and ***(expedite adoptionwill be nonsuited after). (PX 185 at 3079 (filed
under seal)) (emphasis added). On D.I.s May 31, 2012 Adoption Records Form under special
circumstances the redactor needs to be aware of, the form states, Please expedite. Call
supervisor for details. Id. This call to arms came after a May 2, 2012 status conference where
the Court notified both parties that the class certification hearing would be scheduled around
December 2012. D.I. was adopted on October 24, 2012. Likewise, Ricker testified that J.S. and
H.V. both received significantly more attention after becoming Named Plaintiffs. (D.E. 326 at
219-20). J.S. was assigned two caseworkers, one of whom had a law degree. Id. at 220. CPS
also managed, after much concerted effort, to locate an adoptive placement for J.S. even though
a judge had called him unadoptable due to his behavior. (DX 120 at DFPS009059404 (filed
under seal)). As part of that effort, one caseworker asked a supervisor for money to purchase
brochures with good quality photographs in color of J.S. The supervisor needed to clear this
request with the Program Director because CPS did not normally do that. Id. at 1 RFP CPS
054667-72. Although the Court would otherwise applaud DFPS for over-the-top efforts to find a
troubled child a permanent home, the apparent motivation is disconcerting. The idea that
Defendants may short-circuit a class action by undermining the standing of Named Plaintiffs
deserves short shrift. Roper v. Consurve, 578 F.2d 1106, 1110 (5th Cir. 1978).
The Court did not find this level of malfeasance toward L.H. and C.H., the Basic Care
GRO Subclass representatives. The Court recognizes that L.H. and C.H. were placed with their
uncle shortly before the Class Certification Order, four years after they entered foster care, and in
spite of their caseworker expressing grave concerns about this placement because of an open
investigation against the uncle for threatening to hit L.H.s and C.H.s younger sister with a
riding crop. (DX 120 at 1 RFP CPS 120617 (filed under seal)). The Court also recognizes that
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days after moving in with their uncle, CPS signed off on transferring custody to the childrens
motherfor whom DFPS had found multiple RTB neglectful supervision of the childreneven
though, This placement is not the most appropriate to meet th[e] child[ren]s needs. Id. at 1
RFP CPS 123318. The Court is wary about the timing and motivation of these events, but the
Court has not seen sufficient evidence that DFPS purposively picked off L.H. and C.H.
Therefore, without adequate representatives, the Basic Care GRO Subclass must be decertified.
The Court notes that eight proposed Named PlaintiffsP.O., S.R., M.R., J.R., K.E., and
S.S., L.H., and C.H.are no longer adequate representatives. In addition to L.H. and C.H.
leaving foster care in April 2013, P.O. was adopted by his grandparents in December 2012,
custody over S.R., M.R., and J.R. transferred to their aunt in August 2012, K.E. aged out of care
in March 2013, and custody over S.S. transferred to her aunt and uncle in August 2013. Some of
these events are undoubtedly suspicious. P.O. was adopted by his grandparents eight years after
entering PMC, one month before the class certification hearing, even though they were willing to
adopt him much sooner. Likewise, DFPS transferred S.S. to her aunt days before of the Class
Certification Order. Neither case file, however, reveals the blatant motivation present in D.I.s
records. That said, the Court does not need to determine if the State picked off these Named
Plaintiffs. P.O. was a representative for the General Class and Licensed Foster Care Subclass,
which are both certified without him; S.S. was a representative for the General Class, as well as
the proposed Unverified Kinship Subclass, which the Court did not certify. Although these eight
children are not adequate class representatives, the Court can rely on their foster care experiences
as evidence of Plaintiffs claims in the same way that the Court can rely on the experiences of
former foster children Arce, Bentley, Jackson, Virgil, and Sharp. Their experiences are proper
evidence of the case and controversy that is very much alive for the remaining certified classes.
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IV. DISCUSSION
To succeed on their claims, Plaintiffs must demonstrate that the challenged policies or
practices were the moving force[s] behind, or actual cause[s] of, the constitutional injury.
Harris v. Serpas, 745 F.3d 767, 774 (5th Cir. 2014) (internal quotations omitted). In this case,
Plaintiffs must prove that Texass policies or practices were the moving force behind, or actual
cause of, the harm and unreasonable risk of harm to foster children in the certified classes. The
question of causation is intensely factual. Morris v. Dearborne, 181 F.3d 657, 673 (5th Cir.
1999). Circumstantial evidence and reasonable inferences therefrom are a sufficient basis for a
finding of causation. Goodner v. Hyundai Motor Co., Ltd., 650 F.3d 1034, 1044 (5th Cir. 2011)
(citation omitted). Where fault and causation [are] obvious, demonstrating that a public
agencys policy or practice is unconstitutional is sufficient to establish the agencys liability. See
Bd. of Cnty. Commrs of Bryan Cnty., Okla. v. Brown, 520 U.S. 397, 406 (1997).
As discussed supra, Plaintiffs must also show that Texass policies or practices that
caused the unreasonable risk of harm were maintained with the requisite culpabilityeither
deliberate indifference or substantial departure from professional judgment. See Section II.C.
A. General Class
The General Class consists of all children now, and in the future, in Texass PMC.
Plaintiffs allege that DFPS's policies toward its primary conservatorship caseworkers (CVS
caseworkers or primary caseworkers) cause a number of interconnected problems, such as
excessive workloads and frequent CVS caseworker turnover. These problems, Plaintiffs argue,
result in an unreasonable risk of harm to the General Class in violation of their Fourteenth
Amendment rights. The Court agrees.
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CVS caseworkers provide or coordinate services to families in which children have been
removed from their homes and placed in the States custody because of significant risks to their
safety. (DX 119 at 17). They are the frontline workers of the child welfare system. (PX
2037 at 7). CVS caseworkers are foster childrens lifeline, their connection to everything.
(D.E. 323 at 33). They are the principal DFPS employees tasked with ensuring the safety,
permanency, and well-being of foster children. CVS caseworkers have been described as the
backbone of the States effort to protect children who make life-and-death decisions every
day, (DX 119 at 17), critical, critical to the provision of child safety, permanency and
wellbeing, and the eyes and ears of the State for . . . PMC children. (D.E. 305 at 11-12).
CVS caseworkers responsibilities are extensive. They are in charge of matching
children with the most appropriate and least restrictive placement, monitoring that children are
safe and their needs are being met in their placements, ensuring that children receive needed
services, and developing and implementing permanency plans for children so they exit custody
to permanent families as quickly as possible. (PX 2037 at 7-8). CVS caseworkers are also
responsible for monthly face-to-face contact with the child, the foster parents, and all other
parties involved in the case, including the childs caregivers and attorneys and guardians ad
litem, to ensure that the childs needs are being met. (D.E. 324 at 11; PX 885 at 133). In
addition, primary caseworkers attend court hearings and service plan meetings, keep childrens
medical records updated, prepare court documents, create monthly summaries, and document
and maintain relationships with their foster children and the parties involved. (D.E. 324 at 11).
At the core, a CVS caseworkers primary job is to ensure the safety of children in foster care.
Id. Foster children look to their CVS caseworkers for support, guidance, [and] understanding . .
. . Thats the person the child comes to rely on to get them through [the foster care] experience.
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(D.E. 326 at 85). Without a CVS caseworker, foster children would be at a clear risk of harm
because watching for safety issues is one of CVS caseworkers crucial responsibilities.
(D.E. 305 at 12). Specia testified that a foster childs primary CVS caseworker is one of the
most important workers in the childs life. (D.E. 299 at 74). McCall explained that if CVS
caseworkers really are too busy, foster children are at risk of harm. Id. at 12-13.
Before analyzing whether CVS caseworkers really are too busy, the Court notes that
caseworker caseloads are still something of an open question despite years of litigation and
weeks of trial. The problem is that Texas calculates caseloads in terms of stages, each of
which represents an aspect of the work that needs to be done with a child or her family, rather
than by individual children. DFPS stages could include Intake, Investigation, Family
Preservation, Child Substitute Care (relating to children removed from the home), Family
Substitute Care (a stage created for families when a child has been removed from the home),
Foster and Adoptive Home Development, Kinship, and Adoption. (DX 167). One child, then,
could represent several stages simultaneously. She could be in the Child Substitute Care and
Adoption stages while her family was in the Family Substitute Care one. DFPSs way of
counting caseloads is unique to Texas. (D.E. 302 at 50; D.E. 303 at 4-5). Defendants and
Plaintiffs experts could barely understand the stage-counting approach, let alone explain it to the
Court. (See D.E. 327 at 38-39; D.E. 325 at 124-25; D.E. 305 at 45-51). It is therefore difficult to
compare DFPS caseworker caseloads to national and professional standards.
Dr. Miller, who ran the DFPS equivalents in Tennessee and Kentucky, established a
primary caseworker caseload range of 14 to 17 children in Tennessee, with a maximum of 20.
(D.E. 302 at 50-51). When caseloads exceed 20 children, Dr. Miller explained, the caseworkers
work really begins to suffer and the children for whom that work is being done begin to suffer.
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Id. Moreover, Dr. Miller said, setting reasonable caseload caps allows a child welfare agency to
better handle caseworker turnover. Dr. Millers 14 to 17 child caseload range provided that
when a worker resigned or went on leave, their work could be distributed without causing
caseloads to exceed 20, assuring that none of those kids fell through the cracks. Id. at 53.
Professional organizations agree with Dr. Miller. According to the 2007 Texas
Appleseed report, When those caseworkers are inadequately trained, inexperienced, or over-
burdened, the system breaks down and children in the system are harmed. (PX 1966 at 11).
Likewise, a 2014 audit of DFPS said, The single most important improvement any system can
make is to ensure it has a well-trained workforce with workloads that meet national standards.
(PX 1880 at 16). The CWLA, which Texas recognizes, see Tex. Govt Code Ann. 531.001(5),
recommends a caseload range from 12 to 15 children. (PX 18 at 3.48). The COA advocates
caseloads of 8 to 15 children. (PX 2037 at 9-10). The Court would like to consider DFPSs own
standards, but DFPS does not have any. (See, e.g., D.E. 300 at 12; D.E. 311 at 17). Unlike other
child welfare systems, DFPS puts no limits on the caseload size that a conservatorship worker
can carry. (D.E. 305 at 25, 27-28).
That said, one of DFPSs Regional Directors agreed that [a]n overloaded case worker is
bad for the children they are supposed to protect. (D.E. 311 at 21). Commissioner Specia
admits that high caseloads put[] a burden on the worker and can have a number of negative
consequences. (D.E. 299 at 55-56). DFPS also agrees that caseloads must be manageable in
order to protect foster children. Before working for DFPS, Burstain said, With caseloads at a
manageable level, caseworkers could visit with children and families more often and ensure that
children were safe and families were getting needed services. (PX 1877 at 10). Likewise,
Lower caseloads reduce the paperwork load and allow [conservatorship] workers to spend more
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time helping families and children. Id. Yet DFPS has not capped its caseloads. Most shocking,
McCall, the DFPS officer in charge of making sure that caseworkers have manageable
workloads, has no idea what size child caseload [her] conservatorship workers should have in
order to do their jobs properly. (D.E. 305 at 31). Regardless, McCall agreed that overburdened
CVS caseworkers create an unreasonable risk of harm for foster children. Id. at 12-13. Thus,
national professional organizations, heads of other states child welfare systems, both parties,
and this Court agree that excessive caseloads cause an unreasonable risk of harm to foster
children.
The Court does not need to establish the exact point at which caseloads become so
excessive that they cause an unreasonable risk of harm. Dr. Miller believes that point is at 20
children. The CWLA and the COA believe that point is at 15. Wherever that point lies, DFPS
has crossed it. As of July 2014, 21% of CVS caseworkers with at least one PMC foster child had
caseloads of 21-25 children; 13% had caseloads of 26-30 children; 6% had caseloads of 31-35
children; and 3% had caseloads of 36 or more children. (PX 2129). In other words, 43% of
DPFSs caseworkers have caseloads above the most lenient professional standard before the
Court; and the situation is likely much worse.
Beyond its nebulous stage-counting approach, DFPS counts [as caseworkers] people
that are not there, such as workers on maternity or medical leave. (D.E. 305 at 41). Moreover,
secondary I See You workers and Centralized Placement Unit workers are categorized in [the
DFPS] computer system as conservatorship caseworkers even though neither workforce has
close to the responsibility of a primary caseworker. (D.E. 310 at 67; see also infra pp. 171-76).
DFPS also counts caseworkers that only keep track of one child, part-time caseworkers, and
fictive workers who are created out of all the overtime, which are not actually even people.
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Id. DFPSs data already shows excessive caseloads. The Court can only imagine the actual
figures if make-believe people are no longer counted.
Despite DFPSs deception, the caseworkers themselves say that they are overworked.
Over 55% of DFPSs caseworkers agree that they do not have adequate time during the
workday to successfully do their job. (DX 119 at 21). More than half believe that DFPSs
expectations for their job performance are unreasonable. Id. Caseworkers often fail to file court
reports on time, if at all, and they do not have enough time to do more than cursory monthly
home visits, typically lasting just five minutes. (PX 1988 at 99). Attorney ad litems Ricker and
Vasquez testified that CVS caseworkers are often too busy to return their phone calls, or file
necessary documents, which delays needed services to foster children. (D.E. 326 at 224-25; D.E.
327 at 189-92). As one DFPS audit put it, caseworkers do well just to put out fires. Id.
Former CVS caseworker B. Miller testified that she had caseloads of forty to 60
[stages], sometimes higher. (D.E. 323 at 34). She said this caseload was typical and
unmanageable. Id. B. Miller worked approximately 50 hours in a typical weekweekly
overtime was the rule, not the exception. Id. at 34-35. Her caseload caused her to experience
[e]xtreme stress, burnout, wearing down, [and] anxiety, and affected her relationship with her
family. Id. at 38. Any time a worker in B. Millers unit left, the remaining workers caseloads
would spike as the leaving workers cases were redistributed. Id. at 39. As a caseworker,
Miller spent most of her time doing triage and was forced to prioritize certain responsibilities
over others because of the size of her caseload. Id. at 35-36. B. Miller also testified that children
in PMC were more affected by her high caseload than children in TMC. Id. at 37. This was
because TMC childrens cases have many [more] moving parts and many aspects that are
demanding for services, while PMC children are generally already in a placement and at least
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appear to be relatively settled. Id. at 37. As a result, Miller testified that when something else
[was] blowing up, PMC children were the first ones to . . . get pushed to the side. Id.
To gain a perspective on what is a manageable caseload, the Court calculated how many
hours it took to simply review the 20 foster childrens case files that are in the record, including
Named Plaintiffs. (DX 120). Bearing in mind that a 20-child caseload is below what many
DFPS primary caseworkers carry, it took the Court 462 hours just to read the 358,102 pages of
case files in DX 120. Admittedly, the Court is not (or was not) well trained at reading case files.
That said, any added time it took the Court to read the case files was offset by their incomplete
nature: the records contained no CPA investigation files, and there were no IMPACT or RCCL
files for multiple children. In short, reading case files, a necessary step for caseworkers to
understand the needs of their foster children, takes around eleven uninterrupted workweeks.
Considering the frequent turnover among caseworkers, see infra pp. 176-82, this onerous task is
duplicated many times for each child. It is no surprise, then, that caseworkers just dont have
enough hours in their day to focus on their children. (D.E. 326 at 200). As a result, the needs
and safety of Texass PMC children are being overlooked. (See, e.g., PX 1988 at 10).
For example, Jackson, who aged out of foster care in July 2014, told the Court that he
saw his caseworker once every two months, and that it was just hard to get in contact with her
[and] to even have a conversation with her . . . [to] tell her I needed things. (D.E. 324 at 186).
No caseworker even visited J.S. the month before an alleged sexual abuse in his placement.
After the abuse, J.S.s primary caseworker did not visit him for another four months. S.A.
similarly would go several months without contact from her primary caseworker. S.A.s rotation
of overburdened caseworkers caused significant paperwork delays, which prevented many
possible adoptions. Attorney ad litem Ricker explained her elaborate protocol just to speak with
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a primary caseworker: you call the caseworker and then I call the supervisor, and I call the
supervisors supervisor, and I say, Im looking for your caseworker, pleading . . . . And at some
point . . . I instruct frankly the lowest level person on my staff every hour on the hour I want you
to send a fax and make a phone call until we hear back from this person. (D.E. 326 at 199-200).
It is a pervasive problem, Ricker testified. Id. at 200. They just flat-out dont have the time
to get back to me. Id. These examples indicate the obvious: overburdened caseworkers cannot
protect their foster children. The purpose of professional caseload standards is to set the point at
which children receive adequate care. DFPSs caseloads far exceed all standards. As such, PMC
children are placed at an unreasonable risk of harm.
Further, DFPSs administrative demands, such as filling out paperwork, are particularly
heavy. CVS caseworkers are only able to spend 26% of their time with children, which Specia
called disturbing. (PX 1993 at 10; D.E. 300 at 24; see also D.E. 302 at 43-44). The Stephen
Group cited this 26% figure as clear evidence that the agency is doing more compliance than
care, and a barrier that is qualitatively reducing the CPS caseworkers ability to keep children
safe. (PX 1993 at 10, 37). The Stephen Group went on to say, The consequence of these
administrative burdens go beyond reducing the time that workers get to build relationships with
families. They also mean longer waits to close cases, which leave families in limbo, and worker
burnout that leads to high turnover and lower morale which impacts performance. Id. at 11. In
Dr. Millers experience, CVS caseworkers should spend at least 40 to 50 percent of their time
working directly with children and families. (D.E. 302 at 42). Dr. Miller further explained that,
when you combine DFPSs excessive caseloads with its administrative burdens, In essence,
[foster] children may well not have a caseworker. Id. at 43.
167
Former CVS caseworkers B. Miller and Voelkel testified that they were often too busy to
keep up with their documentation responsibilities, even though they considered them vital. (D.E.
323 at 36; D.E. 324 at 16). DFPS is well aware that its caseworkers often cannot keep up with
required documentation when their caseloads are high. For example, in a memorandum to the
Commissioner, McCall noted that exceptionally high CVS caseloads in Region 9 in October
2012 prevented caseworkers from completing required documentation timely, if at all. (PX
1825 at 2). Lack of documentation was especially problematic when caseworkers left and their
cases were redistributed. (D.E. 324 at 16). The remaining caseworkers could not immediately
assess the needs, and appropriately monitor the safety of, the new children on their caseload if
their files did not contain thorough and up-to-date documentation. See id. B. Miller at times
received files from departing caseworkers that were not up-to-date, making it more difficult to
ascertain the current condition and immediate needs of the children. (D.E. 323 at 41). The
casefiles that B. Miller received also sometimes contained inaccurate information (such as
documentation of required face-to-face visits that had never actually occurred). Id. at 42.
Voelkel believed that this common practice of prioritizing more pressing tasks, and allowing
documentation to suffer, exposed children to a risk of harm. (D.E. 324 at 16).
The problems of inadequate and incomplete caseworker documentation are considerably
magnified by the way in which DFPS maintains foster childrens case files. Childrens records
are not kept in a single location nor are they consistently maintained in chronological order. (See
D.E. 343 at 1; see generally DX 120 (filed under seal)). Some of the childrens files are kept
electronically on DFPSs IMPACT casework system. Other childrens files are maintained
entirely in External paper files. (D.E. 343 at 1-2; supra p. 80-81 nn.25 & 26). Additionally,
records relating to abuse and neglect investigations of children in foster care are kept separately
168
by RCCL in the CLASS database. (See supra p. 141 n.43). Although CVS caseworkers have
access to the CLASS database, CLASS files are not merged with IMPACT files and it is unclear
whether CVS caseworkers are trained, let alone have the time, to check whether children newly
transferred to their caseloads have CLASS files. (See D.E. 343 at 2). Thus, not only are foster
childrens case files shockingly long (358,102 pages of case files for the 20 children for whom
the Court has records), they are incredibly disorganized.
Further, inherent problems with DFPSs outdated IMPACT system further impede
caseworkers ability to review important electronic case file information. According to The
Stephen Group, IMPACT is not in sync with current versions of forms that are used [by
caseworkers] and forces arbitrary workarounds and repetitive entry of data. (PX 1993 at 15).
This results in delays and considerable frustration among caseworkers and can mean that those
accessing the system might not have immediate availability to the most recent updates in a
particular case. Id. This creates opportunities for important safety-related tasks to fall through
the cracks, especially when cases are transferred between workers. See id. It is unclear how
easily CPS caseworkers can access their foster childrens RCCL files, and how often they do so
when receiving new files. What is clear is that caseworkers continuously fail to maintain
complete, timely, and accurate documentation. The resulting widespread neglect of important
tasks relating to the safety and well-being of PMC children is indicative of a system where
caseworkers workloads are unmanageable.
In addition to excessive caseloads placing PMC children at an unreasonable risk of harm,
CPSs work environment encourages its primary caseworkers to prioritize TMC children over
PMC children. Many reports found that CPS caseworkers work in an environment permeated
with a fear, making people feel that meeting the numbers is as important as helping children and
169
families. (PX 1993 at 248). In 2013, the State Auditors Office found that the work
environment at CPS is unsupportive and punitive and that CPS staff do not feel safe to raise
concerns or make complaints, fearing retaliation or punishment. (See DX 119 at 30). The 2014
Sunset Commission echoed these findings. Id. Employees interviewed by the Sunset
Commission generally described management practices at CPS as unfair, unsupportive,
bullying, unreasonable, and fear-driven. Id. at 29. Many CPS caseworkers and managers even
stated that they were concerned about possible retaliation for their cooperation with the Sunset
review. Id. Because caseworkers at CPS have no way to make complaints within the agency
but outside their chain of command, they are generally discouraged from making any workplace
or program-related complaints at all. Id. at 33. According to the Sunset Commission, because of
CPSs current management structure, there is persistent fear of retaliation among caseworkers
and supervisors. Id.
The Stephen Group made similar findings:
Supervisors are driven to use metrics as a mechanism to make sure caseworkers

meet their numbers, not as a tool to balance workload, identify workers in need
of training or recognize structural issues that should be resolved. This creates a
culture of fear where caseworkers are focused more on meeting numbers and
checking off boxes than on the quality of service for the children in families under
their care.
Not surprisingly, many field workers do not feel supported by their supervisors,
instead feeling that there is an effort to use metrics to discipline or fire them. This
adds to the stress in the workplace and ultimately reduces productivity and
increases turnover.
(PX 1993 at 19). One CPS employee told The Stephen Group, Our workers are threatened and
scolded more than trained and molded. Id. at 248. In such an environment, it is only natural
that overextended caseworkers prioritize TMC children who have more deadlines and concretely
tracked benchmarks.
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Moreover, when a child enters PMC, courts often dismiss the childs attorney ad litem
and CASA, leaving the child with fewer stable relationships and advocates. (PX 1988 at 15; see
also supra pp. 7-8). This makes the childs relationship with his or her caseworker that much
more important. According to the 2010 Texas Appleseed report:
So many resources are spent on getting the child to safety during the TMC phase
that once the child has the last of his or her TMC permanency hearings, the
stakeholders feel relieved of some of the pressure to get the child out of foster
care. All too often, the move to PMC is viewed as a signal that the child is out of
danger, damage control has been successful, the State has become the childs
parent, and the child is in a good situation. . . . [F]or too many children, PMC
becomes a permanent placeholder. . . .
These children essentially continue on with their day-to-day lives, receiving an

increased level of attention right before the six-month placement review hearing
and then back to the status quo. The judges report that these children typically
bide their time until they can age out and go back home to their biological
families, often harboring unrealistic but persistent hopes that all will be fine.
(PX 1988 at 72). One judge interviewed for the Texas Appleseed study stated that foster
children in PMC are just like . . . inmate[s] serving time until theyve reached 18. Id. Another
judge remarked that [t]hese are the children that even God has forgotten. Id. at 14.
DFPS claims that its secondary Centralized Placement Unit (CPU) and I See You
workers fill in the gaps left by overworked CVS caseworkers and ensure that all foster children
receive appropriate care. The Court disagrees. CPU workers do not even interact with foster
children. They only help find placements. (PX 50 at 16). I See You workers only visit foster
children once a month when primary caseworkers are too busy or too far away. (PX 52 at 82).
McCall acknowledged that I See You workers main responsibility, as indicated in the position
title, is seeing the child in her placement every month to confirm that she is still there. (D.E.
305 at 61-63). Although I See You workers are supposed to have meaningful discussions with
the children they visit, they often just show up at the childs placement, ask five questions and
171
leave. (D.E. 305 at 65; D.E. 324 at 186). For example, A.M.s I See You worker, who visited
her regularly for more than two years, asked the same 10-12 questions at every visit, and A.M.
answered the same way. (See DX 120 at DFPS #828-997 (filed under seal)). According to the I
See You workers notes, A.M. was almost always fine and stable in her current placement
and the worker often noted that things are going well for [A.M.] at this time. Id. In reality,
during much of this time, A.Ms level of care was Intense and she was repeatedly restrained by
RTC staff.
Secondary workers are also not required to follow up on any needs identified during the
visit beyond communicating those needs to the primary caseworker. (PX 2037 at 57). Nor are
they responsible for childrens case planning or permanency planning. (D.E. 322 at 127). A
foster childs relationship with their secondary worker is never quality. (D.E. 326 at 88).
Their existenceintended as a stopgapis itself evidence of an understaffed CVS caseworker
workforce, as well as DFPSs inadequate placement array. See infra p. 222-23.
Moreover, replacing contact from primary caseworkers with contact from secondary
workers inhibits primary caseworkers ability to form relationships with their foster children. As
Burstain explained, a CVS caseworker is often a foster childs only continuous and stable
relationship. (PX 1871 at 1). Given that PMC children have been removed from their home
and likely shuttled between placements, CVS caseworkers are one of the few people that foster
children look to for support and guidance. (D.E. 326 at 85). Trust is highly important between
a foster child and their primary caseworker because children need to feel comfortable telling
them their problems. Id. As McCall testified, especially with emotional harm[,] you need to
know . . . the child before you can tell something is wrong. (D.E. 305 at 62). Using secondary
workers to shoulder excessive workloads thus hinders primary caseworkers ability to protect
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their children. Further, foster children often do not share their problems with secondary workers
who they view as not the real thing, akin to substitute teachers. (D.E. 326 at 88). Dr. Miller
explained that workers who have no permanent relationship with a child, such as I See You
workers, cannot win a childs trust in a sufficient way to have the child actually reveal what is
happening in the childs life, particularly if the child is being subjected to maltreatment. (PX
2037 at 58). Carter testified that foster children very rarely see I See You workers as
somebody that is there to support them because children intuitively know that this person is
just fulfilling a service or a requirement by looking in on them. Id.
Further, when I See You workers visit children in their placements, they often do not see
individual children in private. S.A., for example, complained at one of her placement review
hearings that her I See You worker doesnt talk to her privately. (See DX 120 at DFPS #49459
(filed under seal)). In response she was told to tell the worker when she does want to speak
privately. Id. Sharp testified that when I See You workers visited him while he lived in an
RTC outside of his home region, the workers would see him and all other children from his
region at the same time. (D.E. 325 at 167). Sharp testified that each visit lasted five to ten
minutes, that none of the visits included one-on-one time between Sharp and the worker, and that
none of the workers ever asked Sharp any individual questions to properly ascertain how he was
doing or whether he felt safe. Id.
Moreover, the record contains numerous examples of post-visit notes by I See You
workers that are superficial, confusing, internally inconsistent, or plain useless. For example,
when one I See You worker visited A.M. in July 2007, that worker indicated in IMPACT that the
method of contact was by telephone, yet in the contact narrative (which was barely two lines)
wrote: I met with foster parent and child all of his needs have been met. Id. at DFPS #1046
173
(emphasis added). Another time, after a July 2008 visit, a different I See You worker wrote that
A.M. was crying and was very hard to understand during the visit and that she was crying so
much that she refuse[d] to talk. . . . . Id. at DFPS #976. Yet in the very next line the worker
concluded: No major problems were reported. There are no concerns at this time. Id. At least
one of K.E.s I See You workers appears to have on several occasions pre-filled the identical
questions that would be asked during each monthly visit into IMPACT and then typed in K.E.s
responses: 1. Do you feel safe in this foster home? [K.E.s] response was yes. 2. Are you
pushed or hit by anyone at the foster home? [K.E.s] response was no. 3. Are you in agreement
with your continued placement at the foster home? [K.E.s] response was yes. . . . Id. at 1 RFP
CPS 141727-29.
I See You workers have significantly more children on their caseload than primary
caseworkers, which likely contributes to their cursory and rote interactions during visits. At the
time of trial, Texas had 72 I See You workers. (D.E. 302 at 73). According to Black, 39% of
PMC children are placed out of region. (D.E. 300 at 101). Each I See You worker thus has
between 60 and 70 PMC children that they must visit each month, in addition to any TMC
children on their caseload. The often cursory nature of these visits may also be attributable to the
general work environment at CPS, which is focused more on compliance (i.e., checking the
box for required actions, such as monthly face-to-face visits) rather than care. (See PX 1993 at
10-11, 14; DX 156 at 28).
As Burry explained, visits conducted by I See You workers were not the kind of well-
planned and purposeful visits that foster children require in order to achieve permanence. (See
D.E. 325 at 40-41). Further, I See You workers inconsistent notes based on their cursory visits,
which are included in childrens case files, contributed to problematic fragmentation in
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childrens casework. Id. DFPS nonetheless expects primary caseworkers to create permanency
plans and goals for their foster children placed outside of their region in reliance on secondary
workers reports, without ever seeing the child. (D.E. 325 at 40-41). Voelkel testified that
when she was a primary CVS caseworker, she had to rely on I See You workers to conduct face-
to-face visits with her out-of-region children for whom she was nonetheless entirely responsible,
which caused her frustration and stress and confusion because she had to depend on a middle
man whom she had never met and whom she found difficult to trust entirely. (D.E. 324 at 25).
She found it particularly stressful when she had to conduct case planning or testify in court based
entirely on second-hand information that she could not personally verify from a person she did
not know. Id. at 24-25. B. Miller testified that she could not always trust information from I See
You workers, as there were several occasions when she discovered that an I See You worker had
not spent as much time with a child as the worker indicated or had not met with that child
privately and thus failed to discover problems that the child may be experiencing. Id. at 55.
Miller would only learn about these inadequate visits well after the fact, such as when moving a
child to a different placement once the prior placement inevitably failed. Id. at 56. The Named
Plaintiffs case files contain several instances of purported face-to-face visits between secondary
caseworkers and children that other parts of the record contradict or fail to support. (See, e.g.,
DX 120 at DFPS #988-90 (filed under seal)) (telephone call between A.M. and her primary
caseworker where A.M. explains that no I See You worker has been coming to see her). The
case files also contain multiple examples of disconnect and miscommunications between primary
caseworkers and I See You workers, where one would fail to provide required paperwork or
information to the other, and vice versa. See e.g., id. at DFPS009043853 (e-mail from I See You
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worker to A.M.s primary caseworker stating, I am scheduled to do the placement first thing
tomorrow morning and still have not received placement paperwork).
Dr. Miller cannot imagine how a primary caseworker can provide quality permanency
casework when she is not visiting the children for whom she is responsible. (PX 2037 at 58).
Nor can the Court. Secondary caseworkers can surely make primary caseworkers jobs easier in
certain respects, and can contribute to positive outcomes for children (although there is little
concrete evidence of that before the Court). The record demonstrates, however, that secondary
caseworkers do not compensate for DFPSs grossly overburdened primary caseworkers. The
Court finds that secondary workers are insufficient substitutes for primary caseworkers, and do
not prevent Texass PMC children from being placed at an unreasonable risk of harm.
Even if the Court accepted secondary workers as adequate substitutes, the Court still
finds that caseloads are excessive to the point that foster children are placed at an unreasonable
risk of harm. DFPS already includes CPU workers and I See You workers in its caseload data
(alongside caseworkers on maternity leave, caseworkers in training, and caseworkers created out
of overtime hours), and those numbers reveal excessive caseloads.
Besides harming foster children in and of itself, DFPS admits, High caseloads lead to
high worker turnover, further exacerbating high caseloads. (PX 877 at 8; see also D.E. 300 at
34, 42; D.E. 305 at 36-37, 56; PX 2037 at 12). Dr. Miller calls this the cycle of crisis. (D.E.
303 at 22-23). Specia admits that the appropriate workload spread out among the workers . . .
will help me keep workers. (D.E. 299 at 82). It is no surprise then that DFPS has an
extraordinary amount of turnover. (D.E. 305 at 55).
The Stephen Group reported that yearly CVS caseworker turnover is 26.7%, and a major
organizational burden. (PX 1993 at 16-17, 76). To compare, turnover for workers comparable
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to Texass CVS caseworkers was 14% to 15% in Kentucky and 10% to 12% in Tennessee.
(D.E. 303 at 28-29). The Stephen Group also noted that turnover is especially high for new CPS
workers, with approximately 28% leaving within the first year, and approximately 43% within
the first two years. (PX 1993 at 17-18). Likewise, Black testified that turnover is approximately
38% for first-year caseworkers. (D.E. 300 at 38-39). The Sunset Commission reported, One
out of every six new caseworkers leaves CPS within six months. (DX 119 at 20).
Unmanageable caseloads are the main reason that CVS caseworkers leave. In a survey,
70% of the caseworkers that left listed Workload as the first or second reason. (PX 1993 at
306). In a 2009 article, Burstain wrote, With respect to CVS, historically, a fairly direct
relationship exists between caseloads and voluntary turnover. (PX 1871 at 11). In support of
that statement, Burstain cited data showing that when caseloads declined 16 percent from 2006
to 2008 . . . CVS voluntary turnover declined 10 percent. Id. Another report found that heavy
caseloads contribute[] to high turnover rates. (PX 1964 at 9). This finding has remained
consistent from year to year. (PX 844 at 5).
This high turnover rate means that one out of every 11 CVS caseworker positions is
vacant. (DX 119 at 19). Even when those vacancies are filled, it takes two years for a
caseworker to fully be up to speed. (PX 1995 at 159). During their first three months,
caseworkers are in training and do not have any cases. (DX 119 at 19). Consequently, while
CPS has 1980 primary caseworkers, it needs to hire more than 500 primary caseworkers per year
to retain an experienced workforce of only about 1000 who actually close most of the cases.
(See D.E. 305 at 41; PX 1993 at 16-17).46 This puts a tremendous strain on the 1000 veteran
46
The Court based these figures on McCalls testimony that there are 1980 CVS caseworkers, (D.E. 305 at 41), and
The Stephen Groups finding that yearly CVS caseworker turnover is 26.7%. (PX 1993 at 76). This turnover rate
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CVS caseworks, who are the front line workers for over 29,000 foster children, which is not
captured in DFPSs figures.
Caseworker turnover has many negative impacts beyond higher caseloads. Black
admitted that turnover causes delayed investigations, a lack of continuity in providing services to
families and children, a lack of consistent timely visits by caseworkers to children in State
custody, and significant costs to the State in terms of recruiting, training, and lost productivity.
(D.E. 300 at 34, 42; see also DX 119 at 17; PX 1995 at 159). Caseworker turnover also delays
or disrupts services and the case plan of foster children, (PX 1871 at 2), and hinders
permanency planning. (D.E. 312 at 20). Moreover, as the Stephen Group explained, workplace
turnover is endemic and institutional knowledge is stripped from across the agency. (PX 1993 at
17). The high level of turnover at CPS represents an extraordinary organizational challenge to
replace these workers and maintain a consistent level of performance. (PX 1993 at 16). As one
audit of DFPS explained, Numerous transitions in caseworker assignments disrupt momentum
toward permanency by forcing children/youth and their families to start over repeatedly with
new caseworkers. (PX 1880 at 5). Specia admitted that foster children are [a]bsolutely
harmed when they do not achieve permanence. (D.E. 299 at 39).
Dr. Miller explained that foster children have already been damaged before entering
the States care. (D.E. 302 at 32). According to Carter, subjecting these already fragile
children to a rotation of overburdened caseworkers only causes despair, isolation, and
helplessness. (Id; D.E. 326 at 91; PX 2015 at 4 (filed under seal)). Instead of becoming a
means that out of the 1980 CVS caseworkers, 528 leave each year. Obviously, DFPS must hire 528 caseworkers
each year to maintain staffing levels. Thus, 1056 CVS caseworkers are within their first two years and not fully up
to speed, meaning that 924 CVS caseworkers handle most of the cases. (See also PX 1995 at 159; D.E. 303 at 33-
34) (describing these calculations for all CPS caseworkers).
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stable influence in a childs life, foster children dont want to have a relationship with
[caseworkers] . . . they lose confidence, they lose trust, and see caseworkers as just a number.
(D.E. 324 at 20-21). The 2010 Texas Appleseed report found that the high incidence of repeated
turnover in PMC childrens caseworkers contributes to the child[ren]s difficulties in
establishing trust with their caseworkers. (PX 1988 at 67). Additionally, Texas Appleseed
found that when a childs caseworker changes constantly or fails to make regular contact with
the child, the childs feelings of rejection are compounded and lead to feelings of distrust
between the child and the system, which makes it all the more difficult to elicit critical
information needed to ensure appropriate care. Id. at 100. [A] child exiting foster care in 2008
had an average of 3.87 caseworkers. Id. at 99. The longer a child spends in foster care and
PMC, the more caseworkers the child will have. Id. Children who exited care in 2008 and spent
at least three years in the States PMC had an average of 6.39 caseworkers. Id. at 100. Texas
Appleseed found that [r]evolving caseworkers make it easy for . . . essential services and
support for the child to fall through the cracks. Id. at 68. The report also found that:
[S]takeholders in the foster care system in Texas are united in their frustration
with the high rate of caseworker turnover. New caseworkers spend about six
months in training before they take on a full caseload, and considering that CVS
caseworkers stay in that position for such a short amount of time, it is not
surprising that they often have little or no personal knowledge of the children in
their care. Judges especially saw the inexperience of the CVS workers and the
frequent changes in Department representation as a big problem or even the
biggest CPS problem, one that makes everyone elses job harder. Several
commented that CVS workers did not have the training, life experience, or job
experience to effectively manage their cases.
Id. at 101.
Carpenter testified that significant caseworker turnover was the norm for the more than
180 former foster youths with whom she has worked. (See D.E. 307 at 16). Solis, S.A.s
attorney ad litem, testified that frequent caseworker turnover is typical for the foster children he
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has represented. (D.E. 323 at 18). Virgil, who had [a]bout 10 caseworkers during her seven
years in Texas foster care, often didnt know who to go to and didnt know who to trust. Id.
at 200. As a result, most of the time when she had issues, she kept her mouth shut. Id.
Former foster child Jackson testified that he had between 20 and 30 primary and secondary
caseworkers over his six years in Texas foster care. (D.E. 324 at 183, 185).
Likewise, former foster child Bentley did not have relationships with her caseworkers,
and often did not even known who they were. (D.E. 324 at 63). Bentley, who entered foster care
at the age of two and eventually aged out of care, was sexually abused in every single foster care
placement but one and was constantly physically abused as well. Id. at 63, 66. Although
Bentley was relieved when a caseworker would visit her placement, such visits were rare and did
not occur monthly as required. Id. at 63-64. When a caseworker did visit Bentley, it would
usually be in the presence of her foster parent and her abuser (often a biological or adopted child
of the foster parent), which made it difficult for her to report the sexual abuse. Id. at 64. Bentley
would try to hint about the abuse because she could not talk about it openly, but the caseworker
would fail to notice or understand and the abuse would continue after the caseworker left. Id.
Visits from Bentleys caseworkers were often brief, 15 minutes at the most, and her
caseworkers never had time to connect with her or get to know her. Id. at 68. To Bentleys
knowledge, none of the physical or sexual abuse that she was subjected to was ever properly
investigated, even when she was able to openly report it (which was only possible after she had
been moved to a new placement). Id. at 65-67. She did not feel that there were any caseworkers
that she could confide in for her safety or that any of her caseworkers could protect her. Id. at
64. Moreover, Bentley testified that during her time in care, she also observed other foster
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children suffering a lot of abuse. Id. Bentley testified that, per her observations, her
experience was typical of children in Texas foster care. (D.E. 324 at 202-03).
Sharp, who entered care at ten years old and eventually aged out, had just two primary
caseworkers during his time in care, yet he only saw them approximately 10 or 12 times in
person over eight years. (D.E. 325 at 166). Sharp did not develop a relationship with either of
them, as he found it near[ly] impossible to form a relationship with somebody that he had only
seen two handfuls of times. Id. He also only saw his I See You worker two or three times
during the year and a half that he was at an RTC far away from his home in Region 1. Id. at 167.
When I See You workers visited Sharp during that period, it was a different worker each time.
Id. The workers also saw all of the Region 1 children in that RTC simultaneously as a group,
with each visit lasting five to ten minutes. Id. None of those visits included one-on-one time
between Sharp and the worker and none of the workers ever asked Sharp any individual
questions to properly ascertain whether he felt safe. Id. Sharp was sexually abused by one of the
caregivers at that RTC, as well as by another foster child. Id. at 168-69. Although he wanted to
report the abuse, Sharp was unable to because the abusive caregiver was generally present when
Sharp was on the phone with his caseworker. Id. at 169. Sharp also felt that no one would
believe him or do anything about the abuse even if he had managed to report it. Id. Sharp was
under that impression because of his lack of trust or relationship with any of his caseworkers. Id.
at 170. Sharp testified that during that time he felt like he did not have anyone who cared about
him and that he would have been better off dead because he knew that [the abuse was] just
going to keep happening. Id. at 172. Sharp testified, I dont think you can ever go back and
undo the trauma of being raped by your caregiver, of being beaten by your peers and feeling like
you couldnt talk about it and you didnt have any hope. Id. at 182.
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Sharp, who after aging out of foster care began to work with current and former foster
youths, stated that all the young people that he has worked with who had been placed at an RTC
had been abused while in care. Id. Those youths generally had experiences similar to Sharps:
they attempted to report abuse or other safety problems in their placements but received no
response or follow-up, which then discouraged them from trying to make any future reports. Id.
at 170-71. Sharp also suffered physical and psychological abuse in other placements, including
other RTCs, foster homes, and group homes. Id. at 171. Sharp found sexual assault between
foster children to be common, especially in group homes where caregivers were simply not able
to watch everyone. Id. at 172. Sharp described one foster group home where one young boy
was sexually abused by a bigger boy almost every night. Id. at 172-73.
Attorney ad litem Ricker testified that almost all of the PMC children she has
represented have been sexually abused. (D.E. 326 at 216). Carpenter testified that, for the over
180 former foster youth with whom she worked, physical, sexual, and emotional abuse in foster
care was way too prevalent and the norm. (D.E. 307 at 23-24). Approximately 50% of the
former foster youths that Carpenter has worked with were sexually abused in foster care. Id. at
32-33. Caseworkers for those youths also often failed to return the youths phone calls, even
when those calls were in regard to serious issues. Id. at 17. Furthermore, the youths former
caseworkers consistently failed to show up or do what they said theyre going to do, and
some of the former foster youths did not always know who their caseworkers were. Id.
In addition to leaving PMC children without a caseworker who can effectively protect
them, caseworker turnover can on its own cause psychological harm to children. According to
Carter, common to the Named Plaintiffs was a lack of relationships and contact with their CPS
caseworkers and a lack of continuity in their care due to experiencing frequent changes in [their]
182
CPS caseworkers. (PX 2015 at 4 (filed under seal)). Carter has a significant amount of
experience in evaluating the importance of a good relationship between foster children and their
primary caseworkers. (See D.E. 326 at 85). He stated that it is [h]ighly important that children
have a strong rapport with their caseworkers and that they feel their caseworkers understand
them and have regular contact with them. Id. at 86. However, Carter testified that children
with whom he worked rarely had a strong, trusting relationship with their caseworkers, either
because the caseworkers were too busy to develop such a relationship, or due to the constant
turnover of caseworkers. Id. at 86-87. According to Carter, One of the most basic needs any
child has is the sense that they are safe. Id. at 98. However, If a child feels that the person
who is directing [her] life does not know [her], does not have contact with [her] or is ever-
changing, that causes [the] child to feel that her world is not a safe world, which is a very
discouraging feeling or emotion for a child to have and can lead to depression. Id. When foster
children, who have already suffered a disruption in their personal relationships, experience
repeated caseworker turnover it compounds their feelings of isolation and helplessness. (PX
2015 at 4 (filed under seal)). Carter testified that the conditions he saw in his evaluations of the
Named Plaintiffs, such as psychological disturbance and learned helplessness, were typical for
the foster care children he has worked with. (See D.E. 326 at 99-100, 114, 120-21, 125, 131-33).
These conditions are generally worse in PMC children. Id. at 132-33. According to the 2007
Texas Appleseed report, even fundamentally normal children who have been taken from their
homes and families can become aggressive and emotionally reactive due to a lost sense of trust,
and their conditions are only worsened by . . . frequent caseworker turnover. (PX 1966 at 22).
183
Further, besides turnover harming the children who lose their caseworker, it also hurts
children whose caseworkers remain and take over the departing workers cases. (D.E. 323 at
39). This situation all but assures that every PMC child is assigned an overburdened caseworker.
Specia also acknowledged that the longer children stay in the custody of the state the
harder it is for them to achieve a permanent home. (D.E. 299 at 63, 83; see also PX 1988 at 9).
Thus, another consequence of rotating overburdened caseworkers, which disrupts permanency
planning, is that 1300-1400 foster children age out of the system each year. It is widely
recognized that foster youths who age out generally experience poorer life outcomes. These
youths leave the system with few life skills and little, if any, support. As Burstain wrote before
joining DFPS, aging out of care is an outcome DFPS tries to avoid as aged-out youths have no
permanent place to call home and often have a difficult time. (PX 1877 at 36). Burstain
reaffirmed this sentiment at trial, saying that children for whom DFPS has failed to find a
permanent home and who age out are likely . . . to be harmed. (D.E. 310 at 55). This is
especially true for children who age out while living far from their home communities and
support networks, often lacking the resources or ability to return. As of August 2014,
approximately 60% of all foster children were placed outside their home county. (DX 183 at 4).
Thus, aging out in a foreign community is commonplace. As a result, these children frequently
end up homeless, participating in criminal activities in order to survive, trespassing in vacant
homes or stealing or human trafficking, prostitution, those kind of things in order to have a place
to stay. (D.E. 307 at 15; see also PX 1872 at 4).
Aged out foster youths often experience serious, and in some cases disabling, physical
and mental health care issues and are likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD) due to the traumas and frequent moves and transitions experienced in foster care.
184
(PX 1988 at 10). According to Casey Family Programs, former foster youths suffer from PTSD
at nearly five times the rate of the general population and nearly twice the rate of United States
combat veterans. Id. at 57, 71. In addition, aged out foster youths often have significantly lower
educational attainment than their peers. Id. at 53-55, 58-59. Foster youth in general are much
more likely to be held back than their peers. Id. at 54. This is due in part to the frequent school
changes, which means they are often absent for large parts of the school year, lose academic
credits due to mid-semester moves, and often have incomplete school records due to missing
transcripts. Id. at 53-54. Foster children are also significantly overrepresented in special
education classesat a rate of over four times that of the general populationwhich may be an
underestimate. See id. at 55. Many do not finish high school. Id. at 58. Fewer than 2% of
former foster children complete college. Id. at 56.
Talley, who previously worked at DFPS as a Preparation for Adult Living coordinator,
testified that the 800 former foster youths for whom she provided services, the majority of which
were in PMC, were simply being maintain[ed] in foster care until they aged out. (D.E. 323 at
84-85). Carpenter testified that aged-out children lack independent living skills. (See D.E. 307
at 8, 13, 29-30). They do not know how to answer a phone, take or leave a message, cook a meal
for themselves, or load a dishwasher. Id. They do not know how to fill out a job application, let
alone drive a car to get to work. Id. at 29-30. According to Carter, none of the Named Plaintiffs
who are on the cusp of aging out, or have by now aged out, have sufficient adaptive living skills
that are necessary for even a minimally reasonable chance at a decent life. (D.E. 326 at 129).
None of them were involved in any extracurricular activities at school or had any vocational
training or employment experience. Id. None of them can take care of themselves. Id. In
general, as Burstain wrote in 2009 before joining DFPS, youths who have aged out of care:
185
[A]re less likely than their peers in the general population to achieve academic
milestones, including high school graduation and postsecondary education, which
are the foundations of self-sufficiency. These youth are less likely to be
employed and, even when they are employed, are more likely to be in jobs that do
not pay a living wage. They are more likely to experience violence, homelessness,
mental illness, and other poor health outcomes. They are more likely to be
incarcerated, to abuse substances, and to experience early parenthood out-of-
wedlock.
(PX 1877 at 36; see also PX 1988 at 9-10, 14). Carpenter testified that 49% of the young women
who age out of Texas foster care are pregnant by the time they are 19 years old and 70% of those
children end up in foster care. (D.E. 307 at 13-14).
All professional standards, national standards, state standards, and anecdotal evidence
this Court has heardfrom both sidesare in lockstep that excessive caseloads and
overburdened caseworkers cause an unreasonable risk of harm to PMC children. The Court
therefore finds that DFPSs policies and practices regarding its CVS caseworkers amount to
structural deficiencies that violate the General Classs Fourteenth Amendment right to be free
from an unreasonable risk of harm.
1. DFPS is Deliberately Indifferent Toward Caseload Levels
The central inquiry for determining deliberate indifference is whether DFPS was aware of
facts from which the inference could be drawn that maintaining excessive caseloads created a
substantial risk of serious harm to PMC children.47 See Hernandez, 380 F.3d at 882. DFPS has
known for almost two decades that overburdened caseworkers cause a substantial risk of serious
harm to foster children. (PX 1964 at 2, 13). DFPS also admitted, An overloaded case worker is
47
Foster children have the constitutional right to be free from an unreasonable risk of harm. To succeed on their
claim, Plaintiffs must prove that the State violated their right with the requisite level of culpability: deliberate
indifference or substantial departure from professional judgment. The substantial risk of serious harm language
from Hernandez refers to the burden, not the right. 380 F.3d at 882 (emphasis added).
186
bad for the children they are supposed to protect, (D.E. 311 at 21), and high caseloads put[] a
burden on the worker and can have a number of negative consequences. (D.E. 299 at 55-56).
Further, DFPSs external consultants have told DFPS that manageable caseloads are crucial to
foster childrens well-being. Numerous reports echo this sentiment. (See, e.g., PX 1966 at 11;
PX 1988 at 16; PX 1880 at 16).
In addition, DFPS has long been aware that its caseloads are too high. As early as 1996,
the Governors Committee to Promote Adoption told DFPS that it needed to reduce CVS
caseworker caseloads. (PX 1964 at 10). In 2004, the Texas Comptroller issued the Forgotten
Children report, finding that DFPS had several serious problems, including heavy caseloads and
high caseworker turnover that prevented the agency from performing required visits with foster
children. (PX 1966 at 5-6). That report prompted the Texas Legislature the following year to
begin efforts to comprehensively reform DFPS by passing Senate Bill 6 (SB 6), which, inter
alia, provided CPS with $250 million in additional state funding. Id. at 6. SB 6 was aimed
primarily at the issue of unmanageable investigation (INV) caseworker caseloads, leading CPS
to hire more than 3200 INV caseworkers, supervisors, and staff, and improve INV caseworker
training. Id. at 6-7. SB 6, though, did not address CVS caseworker caseloads, which were also
high. See id. The additional INV caseworkers resulted in CPS removing significantly more
children from their homes and into State custody (from 13,431 children in 2004 to 17,547
children in 2006a 30.6% increase). Id. at 7. This, in turn, exacerbated the already high CVS
caseworker caseloads. Id. at 7-8. In 2007, Texas Appleseed told DFPS that the problem of
increasing conservatorship caseloads and inadequate conservator caseworker staffing . . . are
simply getting worse. Id. at 36.
187
In 2009, Burstain published an article noting, when caseloads are high, CVS workers
may not be able to do real social work because they must spend all their time completing
paperwork and complying with administrative requirements. (PX 1871 at 11). She further
stated, the Texas legislature acknowledges that reducing caseloads is important but past
legislative sessions focused on investigations. Id. at 14. Burstain explained that CVS
caseloads are too high and above recommended standards and recommended that caseloads be
reduced to keep paperwork manageable, allowing CVS workers to focus on helping and
providing services to children and their families. Id. at 15.
The 2010 Appleseed Report found that CPS caseworkers were routinely handling
around 30 cases, even though the national standards call for between 15 and 17 cases per worker
. . . [and] caseworkers are commonly assigned 40-plus cases at a time. (PX 1988 at 16).
Moreover, the report pointed out that caseload averages do not reflect spikes in caseloads that
can occur when a co-worker goes on extended leave or quits. Id. Almost every stakeholder in
the foster care system interviewed for the 2010 Appleseed Report, expressed the belief that
CVS workers are overworked to the point of not being able to do their jobs properly. Id. at 99.
In addition, the 2010 Texas Adoption Review Committee said that caseworkers carry extremely
high caseloads that are often twice what is deemed best practice. (PX 1964 at 9). That report
went on to say, Many of our recommendations are, sadly, ones that have been made in prior
years, including, Reduce caseload to 15-17/worker in compliance with national standard. Id.
at 2, 13.
Also in 2010, DFPS told the Texas Legislature that it the needed to reduce caseloads for
its CPS caseworkers. (PX 1286 at 15). DFPS acknowledged that decreasing caseloads would
allow caseworkers to make regular, meaningful contact with children in the substitute care
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system and to ensure the safety and well-being of [those children] until the permanency goal is
reached. Id. In that report, DFPS presented data indicating a correlation between decreasing
statewide average daily caseload[s] over the prior three years and children being seen more
frequently by their caseworkers. Id. In its Legislative Appropriations Request for Fiscal Years
2012 and 2013, DFPS acknowledged that the caseload issue was still ongoing, stating, High
caseloads cause quality casework to suffer, thus putting children in our system further at risk of
harm. (PX 878 at 105). DFPS also noted that foster child safety is greatly improved with
lower caseloads that allow workers to spend more time on each case. Id. at 15.
Yet despite DFPSs knowledge that it needed to reduce caseloads, between 2009 and
2013 CVS caseloads only increased. (PX 885 at 18; PX 894 at 10). In its Legislative
Appropriations Request for Fiscals Years 2014 and 2015, DFPS requested additional funding
from the Legislature to lower caseloads to 2009 levels. (PX 885 at 18). DFPS acknowledged
that allowing caseloads to go any higher would cause the quality of casework to suffer, . . .
would impair the agencys ability to keep children safe, and would result in significant . . .
safety issues. Id. Currently, though, even by DFPSs distorted data, caseloads remain well
above the maximum recommended by professional standards. According to DFPSs stage-
counting method, in 2014 CVS caseworkers in many counties averaged over 40 stages, with the
worst averaging 88.3. (PX 650). Former CVS caseworker B. Miller testified that a forty to 60
stage caseload is typical and unmanageable. (D.E. 323 at 34). Yet, in a memorandum to the
Commissioner, McCall described the CPS program Regions 2 and 9 being in a state of crisis
because average daily caseloads were 27.9 in Region 2 and 37.9 in Region 9. (PX 1837 at 3).
DFPS has also known for a long time that caseworker turnover poses a substantial risk of
serious harm to foster children. A 2008 report by the University of Houston Graduate College of
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Social Work, produced in collaboration with DFPS, identified Conservatorship Worker[]
Issues as an area of concern. (PX 1273 at 18). Under that area of concern, the report listed
continued turnover as a specific weakness and high caseloads as a threat. Id. The Texas
Adoption Review Committee, in its December 2010 report, found that high CPS caseloads
contribute to high turnover rates and reduce[] positive outcomes for children. (PX 1964 at 9).
The 2010 Texas Appleseed report found that [c]aseworker turnover [was] high and directly
impact[ed] caseload[s]. (PX 1988 at 100). In its Legislative Appropriations Request for Fiscal
Years 2012 and 2013, DFPS noted that if certain already-authorized positions were not funded,
average daily caseloads would greatly increase, as would turnover, and the quality of casework
would diminish, thus impairing the agencys ability to keep children . . . safe. (PX 878 at 13).
An internal study done by DFPS in December 2012 found that two of the main factors
contributing to CPS caseworker turnover were poor working conditions and environment
(safety and work-related stress) and workload concerns making it difficult to perform adequate
work. (PX 844 at 5, 10). In the Self-Evaluation Report that DFPS submitted to the Sunset
Commission in 2013, the agency admitted that [r]ecruiting and retaining high-quality talent is
one of the largest challenges for DFPS and a long-standing concern. (PX 1964 at 22). In its
Legislative Appropriations Request for Fiscal Years 2014 and 2015, DFPS noted that [e]ntry
level direct delivery positions experience the highest rate of turnover within the agency.
Protective services is a stressful job, made even more so when caseloads are high. About 29
percent of new caseworkers in the CPS program . . . leave within the first year. (PX 885 at 19).
DFPS requested additional funding at that time to incentivize staff to remain in their job long
enough to become more competent, make better decisions, and provide the staff coverage
necessary to adequately protect the children . . . served by DFPS. Id. In its Description of
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Revised Exceptional Item Requests for the FY 14-15 Biennium, directed to the House
Appropriation Committee Article II Subcommittee, DFPS explained, High caseworker turnover
leads to higher caseloads, less experienced caseworkers and supervisors, and impacts quality
casework and ultimately safety for the clients. (PX 894 at 6, 7). DFPS further stated,
Caseworker turnover in all programs threatens the well-being and safety of clients. Id.
In its Legislative Appropriations Request for Fiscal Years 2016 and 2017, DFPS admitted that
[r]etention and turnover issues have impacted the ability of CPS to achieve full staffing during
FY 2014. (DX 97 at 119). In 2014, The Stephen Group noted that the issue of turnover is [a]
well-known concern across CPS that was reinforced by [The Stephen Groups] operational
review. (PX 1995 at 7). Also in 2014, the Sunset Commission found that the Legislature and
DFPS have long been concerned with reducing chronically high caseworker turnover, which
results in a number of problems that directly affect the agencys ability to meet its mission of
protecting children. (DX 119 at 9). Yet, CPS turnover remains significantly higher than the
state agency average. Id.
Furthermore, as high as caseworker turnover is, the reported turnover rate appears to be
understated. In an article from 2009, Burstain stated that the way in which DFPS calculates
turnover, by counting how many full time, regular employees left the agency either voluntarily
or involuntarily . . . is limited and does not allow for a full understanding of workforce issues and
how they should be addressed. (PX 1871 at 2). The article further states, From a stability
perspective, turnover should include every time workers with direct case management
responsibilities leave their position, which would account for not only the workers leaving
DFPS but also those who transfer to different positions within the agency, either laterally or
through a promotion. Id. The reason for this is fairly straightforward: After all, the child or
191
family does not care why the worker changed, only that they now must establish a relationship
with someone new, which often delays or disrupts services and the case plan. Id. Burstains
article reflects that, based on DFPS-provided data, from 2006 to 2008, CPSs total workforce
turnover rates were understated by between 5% and 11% per year (accounting only for
promotions). Id. Additionally, from 2006 to 2008, CPS workforce turnover, specifically for
CVS workers, was further understated by between approximately 10% and 14% per year
(accounting for promotions as well as for CVS caseworker transfers into other CPS units). Id. at
11. The Court has seen no evidence that DFPS has changed its method for calculating turnover
since 2009.
DFPS has done little to address this problem. It has not created a caseload range, it has
not hired enough primary caseworkers, and it has not instituted policies to reduce caseworker
turnover. Further, 2004 is the last time DFPS conducted a work measurement study to determine
what is a manageable caseload. (DX 5 at 1). In 2010, DFPS purported to determine how many
caseworkers it would take to . . . make meaningful monthly visits with all children . . . in foster
care, producing in July 2010 a 5-page report titled What Should CPS Caseloads Look Like.
Id. According to the report, DFPS developed a data driven staffing model based on the figures
from the 2004 study. Id. But the 2010 update does not explain or reevaluate any of the results
from the 2004 study and instead makes upward adjustments of the previous figures based only
on DFPS policy and practice changes that have been instituted since 2004. See id. at 1-5. The
update assumed a very low vacancy rate (4%), which significantly underestimates the actual CPS
vacancy rates: statewide CVS vacancy rates were 7.5% in May 2014, and significantly higher in
some regions. (DX 71 at 10). The update also assumed that the additional workers needed are
trained and carrying a full caseload each year, which is simply not consistent with reality: new
192
workers, who make up 21% of all DFPS staff, do not carry a caseload for their first three months,
have a reduced caseload for the next three months, and are not fully up to speed for two years.
(D.E. 305 at 38; PX 1995 at 159). Using the adjusted 2004 figures, DFPS determined an average
daily caseload of 24.9 would theoretically allow CVS caseworkers to make meaningful monthly
visits with all children on their case load. (See DX 5 at 1, 4).
Yet CVS caseloads have consistently been far higher than 24.9. According to a
September 2013 Self-Evaluation Report submitted by DFPS to the Sunset Commission, during
the 2012 fiscal year, the daily caseload for CPS substitute care workers was 33.7. (DX 31 at 29).
The States target for average daily caseload for CPS substitute care workers for that year was
29.2, although it is unclear how that target was derived or what it was based on. Id. According
to the 2014 Sunset Commission:
DFPS bases its target caseload and the corresponding caseworker performance
requirements on a workload time study conducted in 2004. This study no longer
reflects current workload, however, since the Legislature has significantly
increased requirements by passing major reform legislation in 2005 and 2007, in
addition to other bills. DFPS itself has added new policies and practices over
time, likely contributing to higher workloads for caseworkers. The State Auditors
Office identified this same issue through an audit published in 2009, which found
CPS workload measures were outdated and recommended an updated time study.
However, DFPS did not implement this recommendation and continues to use the
2004 information.
Further, the measures themselves focus largely on casework output measures of

timeliness that often bear only an indirect relationship to child safety and quality
casework. . . . With such a heavy focus on quantity, CPS cannot accurately gauge
the quality of services provided to children and families. In fact, internal reviews
have illustrated that the focus on timeliness measures may negatively impact the
quality of casework.
(DX 119 at 30-31).
Separately from DFPSs failure to conduct a workload study in the past ten years, the
Sunset Commission found that DFPS does not distribute workloads equitably or consistently
193
among workers, leading to inefficiencies that increase travel time and workload, and possibly
impact outcomes for children. Id. at 32. DFPSs failure to implement an effective and
consistent method for distributing cases creates situations like the one in Harris County, where
caseworkers routinely drive across the large metropolitan area to perform their job duties and
serve their clients. Id. This is further exacerbated by supervisors hav[ing] the discretion to
distribute cases to their caseworkers however they prefer, which an internal report indicates
contributes to perceptions of favoritism and unfair management practices. Id. The resulting
inequitable workload distribution48 can lead to caseworkers falling even more behind in their
cases, putting children at risk. Id. The Sunset Commission noted, Without a system to assign
cases with both efficiency and fairness in mind, CPS will continue to struggle with caseworker
retention. Id.
In its report, the Sunset Commission recommended that DFPS regularly do casework
time studies to more accurately develop caseload goals and policies that are fair and attainable
for caseworkers, whereby DFPS would be able to ensure that the targeted caseload and
caseworker performance goals set by the agency are achievable and reasonable. Id. at 38. The
Commission further recommended that these studies be conducted once every three years. Id. In
response to the Commissions recommendation, DFPS stated that it agrees with this directive
and is already planning a time study.49 (DX 103 at 3). DFPS also acknowledged that [r]outine
time studies are an important tool for ensuring that caseworkers are evaluated against realistic
48
Caseworkers are also sometimes penalized as a result of the uneven caseload distribution, which is entirely out of
their hands. (DX 119 at 32).

49
Despite telling the Sunset Commission that DFPS was already planning a time study, no DFPS official could
tell the Court of any concrete plans or timelines in regard to performing a CPS caseworker workload time study.
(See, e.g., D.E. 313 at 20).
194
job expectations. Id. Similarly, in its April 2014 assessment, Casey Family Programs
recommended that DFPS [p]erform a detailed[] time-study analysis of DFPS caseloads and
workloads in order to determine objectively whether caseworkers have manageable workloads,
and to identify where additional staffing may be needed in order to reduce and eliminate . . .
vacancies and assure an adequate workforce for all offices and work units. (PX 1880 at 6).
McCall testified at trial that one of her responsibilities is to make sure that the primary
caseworkers throughout the State have manageable caseloads. (D.E. 305 at 13-14). Part of her
job is also to analyze whether . . . caseworkers have workable or manageable caseloads. Id. at
17-18. McCall agreed that it is necessary to examine caseloads in order to determine whether
there is a problem with them, and how extensive the problem might be. Id. at 20. McCall
further testified that DFPS would shoot to make the workers workload be as manageable . . . as
possible. Id. at 27. Yet McCall was not able to explain at trial what methods she, or anyone
else at DFPS, uses to ensure that, or even evaluate whether, caseworkers have manageable
caseloads. See id. at 20-28. Instead, McCall testified that DFPS has not done any study recently
to determine how many cases a conservatorship caseworker can carry and [still] complete all
of his or her required tasks. Id. at 28. Indeed, the State has placed no limits on the caseload size
that a CVS caseworker can carry, nor established any caseload size parameters. Id. Black
confirmed that CPS has not done a full work study in over ten years. (D.E. 300 at 19). She
also acknowledged that, since 2004, CPS has implemented policies and practices and statutes
that have added to our caseworkers workloads. Id. at 20.
DFPS also points to CPS Transformation as a response to overburdened caseworkers.
Launched in October 2014, three and one-half years after this suit was initiated and six weeks
before trial, Transformation has three priorities: developing and maintaining a professional and
195
stable workforce; ensuring child safety, permanency and well-being; and establishing an
effective and efficient organization and operations. (DX 156 at 3). Like many of DFPSs
efforts the Court heard about, Transformation is promised to work because it is completely
different than the reform efforts that came before it. (D.E. 327 at 144). The Court finds that
Transformation is not a reasonable response to the problems Plaintiffs allege, and therefore does
not protect Defendants from a finding of deliberate indifference. See Farmer, 511 U.S. at 844.
First, Transformation was initiated mere weeks before trial, and DFPS has not shown the Court
anything that proves it is working. The Court will not place blind faith in DFPS, who has
ignored decades of reports that universally cite the danger of overburdened caseworkers.
Second, and more importantly, Transformation does not answer Plaintiffs claims.
Transformation will not produce an updated CVS caseworker work study, or set minimum and
maximum caseload standards. (D.E. 313 at 19-20).50 Although at trial Specia stated that he
planned to conduct a workload study, he did not provide a timeline for any such study and
admittedly did not know what steps he would take upon the completion of the study. (See D.E.
299 at 77).
Moreover, DFPS officials, from Specia down, testified that DFPS has not adopted any
national caseload standards. (See, e.g., D.E. 299 at 55; D.E. 300 at 12; D.E. 305 at 21). Dr.
Miller explained that the singularly most troubling finding regarding caseloads was the total
absence of a ceiling, that point beyond which caseloads would not be considered manageable.
(PX 2037 at 18). Yet DFPS officials testified that DFPS does not have any standards or
50
Transformation also does not address shortcomings with RCCL investigations or DFPSs placement array. (D.E.
313 at 21; see infra Section IV.B). Nor does Transformation deal with Plaintiffs safety concerns in foster group
homes. Id.; see infra Section IV.C.
196
maximums for its caseworkers caseloads and that there is currently no plan to implement
caseload maximums. (See, e.g., D.E. 300 at 12, 100; D.E. 305 at 21-22, 25-28; D.E. 313 at 20).
Black confirmed that CPS does not have standards[] for what the caseloads should be. (D.E.
300 at 12). Bowman testified that she is not aware of any benchmarks, standards, maximums, or
guidelines at DFPS for CVS caseloads. (D.E. 311 at 17).
Instead of responding to high workloads by implementing caseload standards or
guidelines, DFPS continues to employ a reactive squeaky wheel approach to its caseworkers
workloads. (See, e.g., DX 119 at 52). McCall testified that DFPS relies heavily on its front line
supervisors and program directors to manage their caseworkers caseloads. (D.E. 322 at 59, 62).
She stated that supervisors are expected to go to program directors if there is a caseload problem,
and that program directors are then expected, if necessary, to convey the problem further up the
chain until it eventually reaches top executives, where the problem will be resolved. Id. at 59-63.
Despite multiple reports to the contrary, McCall nonetheless believes that this system works
very well. Id. at 62. McCall acknowledged, though, that it is not a prudent or diligent form of
management to simply wait for problems to be reported or for something bad to happen
before taking action. Id. at 31. Black confirmed that, unless one of her direct reports brings
problems to her, she assume[s] things are going fairly well. (D.E. 300 at 14-15). However, in
CPSs unsupportive and punitive work environment, staff do not feel safe to raise concerns or
make complaints, fearing retaliation or punishment. (DX 119 at 30; see supra pp. 169-70).
The Texas child welfare system is reactive, meaning that it waits for problems to
develop before responding to them, instead of being proactive in heading off predictable and
preventable issues. (See D.E. 303 at 48-49, 57-58; DX 119 at 52). According to Dr. Miller, by
waiting until problems develop and become significant enough to warrant attention, DFPSs
197
reactive system exposes children to unnecessary risks. (See D.E. 303 at 57-58). Dr. Miller
testified that a proactive system is easier to maintain than a reactive system because it is a lot
harder to clean up a mess. Id. at 58. The goal of a child welfare system should be minimize
the possibility that something like [a child fatality] is going to happen, which cannot be
accomplished without proactive thoughtfulness and planning. Id. The Sunset Commission
found that CPSs inherent[ly] reactive approach results in a continuing cycle of crisis and
criticism that distracts the agency from developing an effective management structure, and
prevents DFPS from deliver[ing] desired results. (DX 119 at 10). The Stephen Group found
that although CPS gathers a massive amount of data, for which CPS management has available
2,700 disparate data reports, CPS does not have a method to use these data to consider
predictive trends and identify potential hot spots that require intervention before a bad outcome
occurs. (PX 1993 at 18). As a result, CPSs extensive repository of information is useful
primarily for historical analysis, not proactive decision making. Id.
In short, CVS caseworkers are crucial to the safety and well-being of all foster children,
including PMC children. They are responsible for ensuring that PMC children are reasonably
safe while in the States custody. DFPS has known for decades that its primary CVS
caseworkers are overburdened to the point where they cannot perform their required duties,
namely protecting their foster children from an unreasonable risk of harm. The Court does not
find that DFPS has responded reasonably to the substantial risk of serious harm posed by
overburdened caseworkers. Farmer, 511 U.S. at 844. DFPS is therefore deliberately indifferent
toward excessive caseworker caseloads.
198
2. DFPS Substantially Departs from Professional Judgment Toward CVS Caseworkers
Under the professional judgment standard, a decision if made by a professional, is
presumptively valid. Youngberg, 457 U.S. at 323. DFPS argues that it has in place a wide
variety of systems to mitigate risks associated with caseworker caseloads and to assure safety of
children in the General Class. (D.E. 359 at 32). However, DFPS fails to point to any specific
system. The Court has sifted through the record in search of any decision or response regarding
excessive caseloads, but remains empty-handed. Perhaps DFPS is referring to the reports and
audits it has commissioned, which were intended to be baselines from which DFPS could begin
to improve. Again, DFPS has done little with these reports, which recommend that DFPS
Reduce caseloads to 15-17/worker in compliance with national standard. (PX 1964 at 13).
The Court does not believe that perpetuating a system that places PMC children at a substantial
risk of serious harm, and that violates all professional standards, is not a presumptively valid
response.
The CWLA and the COA recommend that caseloads not exceed 15 children. Dr. Miller
set a range between 14 to 17 children in Tennessee and Kentucky, with 20 as the maximum in
times of crisis. DFPS caseloads far outpace these standards. Yet DFPS has done nothing to
reduce caseloads, knowing all the while that foster children are harmed as a result. DFPSs
response (or lack thereof) to its caseworkers excessive caseloads shows such a substantial
departure from accepted professional judgment . . . that the person responsible actually did not
base the decision on such a judgment. Youngberg, 457 U.S. at 323.
B. Licensed Foster Care Subclass
The Licensed Foster Care (LFC) Subclass includes all members of the General Class
who are now or will be in a licensed or verified foster care placement, excluding verified kinship
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placements. This Subclass claims two structural deficiencies. First, the State does not exercise
sufficient oversight of its foster care facilities. Second, the State maintains an insufficient
number, geographic distribution, and array of placements. Plaintiffs argue that both of these
structural deficiencies cause an unreasonable risk of harm to LFC children. The Court agrees.
1. Insufficient Oversight
Plaintiffs insufficient oversight allegation breaks down into two subparts. First, DFPSs
abuse and neglect investigations at its licensed facilities are deficient. Second, DFPSs licensing
and inspecting at its licensed facilities are inadequate. Separate and together, Plaintiffs argue
that these failings amount to a structural deficiency in DFPSs oversight of its licensed facilities,
which cause an unreasonable risk of harm to LFC children.
The Child Care Licensing division of DFPS is in charge of child day care and residential
childcare operations. The Residential Child Care Licensing division of CCL is responsible for
licensing and inspecting all licensed residential childcare operations, as well as investigating
allegations of abuse and neglect at these facilities. Licensed operations include independent
foster family homes, independent foster group homes, general residential operations, residential
treatment centers, child-placing agencies, CPA foster family homes, and CPA foster group
homes. (PX 41, 40 Tex. Admin Code 745.37). Ninety percent of Texass placements are
licensed operations. Private CPAs that contract with the State run almost 90% of the licensed
facilities. RCCL is the States mechanism for ensuring that foster care providers meet minimum
standards, keep children safe, and provide adequate care. The task is daunting. In 2013, there
were 10,286 24-hour care facilities in Texas that RCCL was responsible for, and there were 4684
inspections and 5160 investigations, 1952 involving cases of abuse and neglect. (DX 119 at 90;
DX 249).
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When RCCL investigates an abuse and neglect allegation, one of four dispositions
follows: (1) Reason to Believe, meaning that A preponderance of evidence indicates that abuse,
neglect, or exploitation occurred; (2) Ruled Out, meaning that A preponderance of evidence
indicates that abuse, neglect or exploitation did not occur; (3) Unable to Determine, meaning
that A determination could not be made because of an inability to gather enough facts. The
investigator concludes that there is not a preponderance of evidence that [abuse or neglect]
occurred; but it is not reasonable to conclude that abuse or neglect did not occur; and (4)
Administrative Closure, meaning, The operation is not subject to regulation; or the allegations
do not meet the definition of abuse, neglect, or exploitation. (PX 86 at 113). CCL Assistant
Commissioner Morris admits that investigators and inspectors have to make correct decisions
in their investigations, otherwise, victims could be subject to continued risk and perpetrators
could be given more opportunities to cause harm. (D.E. 301 at 28). RCCL Director Shaw
agreed: If you dont have a good investigative system, you cant have a good [child welfare]
system. (D.E. 304 at 20).
The Performance Management Unit division of CCL ensures that CCL acts according to
policies and procedures. It performs internal quality control. At the request of CCL leadership,
PMU reviewed 85 physical abuse investigations that occurred between August 1, 2012 to July
31, 2013, which resulted in either Unable to Determine (48) or Reason to Believe (37).
Regarding the UTD cases, PMU found that 31 out of 48 (64.6%) of the reviewed [physical
abuse cases] were incorrectly determined as UTD. Of the 48, 36 (75%) involved an injury, with
17 (35.4%) requiring medical attention. (PX 1129 at 3). Nine of the 17 that required medical
attentionwith injuries ranging from minor to criticalwere incorrectly determined as UTD.
Eleven of 31 (35.5%) should have been RTB. The common reasons for incorrect dispositions
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included: Preponderance explanation was not sufficient[;] Not all parties were interviewed[;]
Not all evidence was reached to support/refute findings[;] Determination did not meet the
definition[; and] Risks were not thoroughly addressed. Id. at 4. Supervisors signed off on 30 of
the 31 (96.8%) incorrect dispositions. This is a systemic failure.
PMU conducted a second review of all 111 UTD dispositions for cases involving
physical abuse, sexual abuse, and negligent supervision investigations over the same period.
Director Shaw separately reviewed these cases as well. Their findings were even more
egregious. Shaw found that 84 of 111 (75%) UTDs were incorrect. (PX 1065). Likewise, Shaw
determined that 33 of 44 (75%) UTDs for physical abuse allegations were incorrect. PMU
concluded that 35 of 44 (79.5%) were incorrect. Shaw also found that 31 of 38 (81.6%) UTDs
for negligent supervision, and 20 of 29 (69.8%) UTDs for sexual abuse were incorrect. Id.
Many of the incorrect findings should have been RTB. A typical investigation error rate for a
child welfare system is 2% or 3%. (D.E. 303 at 49-50). RCCLs is 75%. This is staggering, and
it means that many abused childrenfor whom a preponderance of evidence indicated that they
were physically abused, sexually abused, or neglectedgo untreated and could be left in abusive
placements. Even if by some unrelated event a child found reprieve from these facilities, the
adult perpetrators can still accept new foster children with nothing in their record indicating a
risk. Even with correct dispositions, however, DFPS places LFC children at an unreasonable
risk of harm. After the reviews just discussed were completed, No licenses were suspended . . .
. None were revoked . . . . No penalties were established on any of these facilities . . . [and] the
State didnt move any of the children. (D.E. 301 at 50). In short, little changed as a result of
finding out that children were abused and neglected. The Court is convinced that RCCL simply
doesnt work. Its broken. (D.E. 303 at 51).
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In response to discovering this 75% error rate, DFPS conducted a one-day training
session for CCL supervisors and program managers to explain to them that CCL has a very high
standard for investigations, and that their work has to be better. (D.E. 301 at 53-56). DFPS
took no action nor made any change to RCCL investigation policies or practices. RCCL did hire
two additional staff to help Shaw focus on . . . professional development, additional training, . .
. [and] child safety issues. Id. at 55. Morris described the above actions as a pretty robust
response. Id. at 52. Rawls-Martin testified that the DFPS Council was never apprised of the
PMU reports or their findings regarding the investigation disposition error rate. (D.E. 308 at 17;
D.E. 309 at 8). Rawls-Martin saw the actual PMU reports for the first time at trial. (D.E. 309 at
10). She testified that, as chair of the DFPS Council, she would have expected to see something
this serious much sooner. Id. Rawls-Martin agreed that the findings reflected a serious issue
at least in part because unreliable investigations by the licensing group potentially result in
unreliable statistics and findings in regard to abuse and neglect investigations, potentially placing
children at risk. Id. at 8-9. She was concerned that such a high error rate could call into
question . . . a much broader scope of investigations. (D.E. 308 at 23).
The Court is certain that there are scores of other faulty investigations. PMU and Shaw
only reviewed the 111 cases with a UTD disposition. In fiscal year 2014, only 4.2% of RCCLs
dispositions were UTD. In contrast, 91.8% of dispositions1984 of 2161were Ruled Out.
DFPS has not sought to determine the error rate for R/O dispositions. Considering that the same
investigators who made the UTD findings made the R/O ones as well, and that R/O rates in other
states are around 60, 70 percent of the total, (D.E. 324 at 132), the Court finds it likely that the
R/O error rate is similar to the UTD error rate. Morris agrees. (D.E. 301 at 65). So too does
Defendants expert on licensing, P. Wilson, who admitted that the high rate of Ruled Out
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dispositions raised questions for her. (D.E. 320 at 26-29). Shaw testified that she was not
concerned with the R/O investigations possibly being inaccurate because she believed that
preponderance is a little more clear in those cases. (D.E. 304 at 16). Yet Shaw had not
reviewed any investigations with Ruled Out dispositions since at least 2013. Further, even if the
preponderance finding is clearer in some Ruled Out cases than Unable to Determine cases, that
explanation does not account for the fact that the investigators in question were failing to
interview all necessary parties, ask pertinent questions, gather all evidence and key information,
and address risks. (See PX 1129). As one DFPS employee stated, the threshold in RCCL
investigations is no Autopsy, no RTB. (PX 1706 at 1).
Attorney ad litem Ricker testified about her experience reporting abuse and neglect in a
foster care facility in Levelland. The child Ricker visited, J.R., was non-verbal, had fingernails
so long that they curled forward to touch his fingers, had a purple goose-egg on his forehead
that no one could explain, and was wearing a torn shirt and pants that he had to hold up with his
hand because there was no button. The place REEKED horribly of urine and had smeared
feces on the wall. (PX 2164 at 2 (filed under seal)). Ricker visited on numerous occasions,
each time finding another child with a black-eye. Ricker twice reported to RCCL the abuse and
neglect occurring at this facility. RCCL Ruled Out the allegation without even contacting
Ricker, in violation of its policy to interview adults who may have knowledge of the incident.
(D.E. 326 at 212-14; PX 86 at 69). RCCL made its disposition solely on information provided
by the children involved, some of whom were nonverbal and intellectually disabled, and the
facilitys staff. (D.E. 304 at 38-40). The facility was not cited for any violations, and J.R., as
well as the other children, remained in its uncorrected care.
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Shaw agreed that these two Levelland reports were pretty serious and that the
conditions at the RTC were not acceptable. Id. at 33, 42. Gilliam, the Regional Director for this
facility, testified that those reports concerned her as well. (D.E. 312 at 48). Yet Gilliam did not
know about either report until they were disclosed at trial, even though they were serious enough
to have been brought to her beforehand. Id. at 49.
Despite these shocking figures and stories, the Court is certain that incidents at licensed
facilities are underreported. First, LFC children often do not know to whom they should report
abuse and neglect. Sharp testified from his experience as a foster child, it is challenging to
report things in the system . . . . I didnt know [if] there was a number that I could call. Even if
there was, I wouldnt have access to it. I didnt have anyone who I felt comfortable reporting
these things to. And I think these are the feelings of most children in the system. (D.E. 325 at
175-76). According to Sharp, there is abuse happening all the time that simply is not being
reported. Id. Even if children knew how to report incidents, Sharp explained, many would not
because they feel that foster care staff do not believe them. Sharp, who now works with foster
children who age out of the system, testified, Ive never met a young person who stayed in a
[residential treatment center] that hasnt been abused, and hasnt felt like they wouldnt be able
to report it and have somebody believe them. Id. at 170. In fact, according to many foster
children, reporting abuse makes the situation worse. M.D.s next friend and attorney ad litem,
Stukenberg, explained that when children complain about abuse, sometimes the children are
retaliated back against. (D.E. 324 at 225). Stukenberg went on to say that in some facilities,
[t]heres a mentality [that] if you outcry youre going to pay for it. Id. Sharp agreed,
explaining, We didnt feel safe in placements and then nothing happened, and so, I mean why,
why would you go through . . . the process of even thinking that something would happen if you
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were to report something like this? (D.E. 325 at 170-71). Because RCCL often does not act
even when they confirm abuse, children remain in these placements, subject to retaliation. Sharp
also explained that children are unable to report abuse because caseworker meetings often occur
in the presence of their abusive caregiver. Id. at 167, 169. Moreover, it appears that RCCL
outsources investigation responsibilities to CPAs, meaning that a childs outcry could be
investigated by the alleged abuser. Thus, the already staggering number of abuse and neglect
incidents (around 2000 each year), for which there is a 75% investigation error rate, is likely
much higher because foster children either do not know who to contact, do not feel that anything
will be done, or fear retaliation.
One of the more shocking revelations in this casewhich is saying quite a bitis that
RCCL does not track child-on-child abuse in LFC placements. Rather, RCCL investigates child-
on-child incidents for negligent supervision by the caregiver. (PX 1026 at 5). Consequently,
there is no centralized data that shows which foster children have a history of physical or sexual
abuse. (D.E. 300 at 47-48). The only place that RCCL keeps this information is in each childs
records, which are often tens of thousands of pages long, unorganized, inconsistent, and
contradictory. (D.E. 328 at 154-55). This oversight is unprecedented. Dr. Miller explained that
tracking child-on-child abuse is a critically important piece of the decision making process
regarding not only subsequent placements but treatment needs. (D.E. 303 at 8). Dr. Miller
cant imagine not tracking child-on-child abuse . . . particularly with sexually abusing kids, that
information has to inform all subsequent placement decision making. Id. at 6-7. Specia
admitted that child-on-child abuse harms foster children and that DFPS should find an
appropriate way to keep track of it. (D.E. 299 at 36). Yet DFPS does not track this critically
important information. The obvious result is that foster children are harmed.
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The 16-year-old boy that sexually abused D.I. had a sexual abuse history himself. His
father had sexually abused him, which led him to foster care. Once in foster care, in 2007 he
sexually abused a younger child with special needs. This information was not in any centralized
place. The 16-year-olds case files noted the parental abuse, but not the 2007 incident. The
consequence was that D.I. was placed with this boy, who forced D.I. into anal and oral sex. The
abuse of D.I. was similar to the previous incident in 2007. As with the 16-year-old, sexual
abuse often sexualizes a child, causing them to initiate such incidents in the future. This
occurred to D.I. As if to reinforce the lunacy of not tracking child-on-child abuse, D.I.s next
foster home had another highly sexualized child with a history of sexual abuse. That child
later alleged that D.I., who was ten-years-old at the time, tried to have sex with her. In addition,
after D.I. was adopted, he engaged in sexually inappropriate conduct with his adoptive mothers
five-year-old granddaughter. Because of his experiences in foster care, D.I remains very
disturbed, heavily sexualized, and a high risk for sexually harming children. His
experience is also typical of PMC children. The evidence reveals that child-on-child physical
and sexual abuse is typical, common, and widespread throughout Texas foster care. Much of this
evidence comes from witnesses who themselves repeatedly experienced physical and sexual
abuse at the hands of other foster children in their placements.
To be sure, when child-on-child abuse occurs, both children are victims. Even the one
we would typically call the perpetrator is him or herself a victim. (D.E. 303 at 8). According
to Dr. Miller, it is important that both victims get the treatment services that they need and are
not placed in environments where they or other children could be [in] danger. Id. Specia
agreed, Theres two victims in a child on child maltreatment incident, and that child-on-child
abuse can cause tremendous harm to the children. (D.E. 299 at 36). Specia further testified,
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Sexually abused children can act out on other children. Id. at 70. Likewise, Shaw agreed that
sexually abused [children] often become abusers themselves. (D.E. 304 at 51). Shaw also
testified that not knowing a childs history of child-on-child abuse results in a heightened risk.
Id. Yet DFPS refuses to track child-on-child abuse. Black admitted that if a foster child, who
had previously sexually abused another child, is placed into a foster group home with young
children . . . no ones going to know about it at that foster group home because DFPS does not
track that. Id. at 67. McCall, Morris, and Specia all testified to similar effect. (See D.E. 299 at
35-37; D.E. 301 at 80; D.E. 305 at 79). This places all LFC children at risk, making it
impossible to assure safe placements. The Court finds that RCCLs faulty investigations,
including its decision to not track child-on-child abuse, cause an unreasonable risk of harm to all
LFC children.
RCCL is also failing its licensing and inspecting duties. DFPS can choose from 13 types
of enforcement actions against a licensed facility when it finds a violation. These options
include working with facilities to voluntarily correct deficiencies, probations, monetary
penalties, and denial, suspension, or revocation of an operators permit. (DX 119 at 90). DFPS,
however, almost never takes an enforcement action. During fiscal year 2013, CCL oversaw
10,286 licensed residential childcare facilities. Id. Over that time, CCL cited providers for 6050
violations, but only issued 12 corrective actions and 1 adverse action. Over the past five years,
CCL issued only four adverse actions against residential operations. Instead of enforcement
actions, DFPS chooses Collaborative approaches like corrective plans, probation, and
evaluation periods [that] can take up to one year or longer for operations to come into
compliance. Id. at 91. In the meantime, children remain and continue to be placed in these
facilities. The Court would not be concerned if DFPSs strategy was working, but it is not. The
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Sunset Commission found that DFPSs enforcement effort has not helped gain compliance with
requirements intended to protect children. Id. According to the Commission, One
consequence of a more relaxed regulatory environment can be seen in a high incidence of repeat
violations that can result when regulated entities perceive that they will not be held accountable
for ignoring the States requirements. Id. at 92. What is more, the Commission found that
[m]ost of these repeat violations occurred on the highest-risk standards. Id. This has been
going on for a long time: In 2011, PMU found that 65.6% of residential care operations had
repeat deficiencies. (PX 1111 at 13). In 2012, 77.6% of residential care operations had repeat
deficiencies. (PX 1074 at 12).
DFPS also fails to consistently and reasonably apply safety standards. (DX 119 at 93).
According to the Commission, certain standards that directly relate to a childs safety should
leave little room for subjectivity or error in how they are enforced. Id. Yet the Commission
found variations in citing critical safety standards between different regions. Id. As a result,
not all children across the state are equally protected in their placements. Id. The Commission
also noted that approximately 36 percent of all residential standards violations are overturned
during administrative reviews due to inadequate investigations.51 Id. at 94.
CCL has closed one facility in the past five years, but it is a story of horror rather than
optimism regarding enforcement. The Daystar facility in Manvel, Texas had a capacity of 141
children. Between 1993 and 2002, three teenagers died at Daystar from asphyxiation due to
physical restraints. In most cases, the children were hog-tied. Beyond these deaths, there were
reports of sexual abuse and staff making developmentally disabled girls fight for snacks.
51
Reasons that standard violations are overturned during administrative review include investigators failures to
gather sufficient evidence and to appropriately support decisions with documentation. (DX 119 at 94).
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Numerous stakeholders, including the district attorney, spoke out against Daystar, but the facility
kept its license. In November 2010, a fourth child died in what was ruled a homicide by
asphyxiation due to physical restraints. Daystars license was still not revoked until January
2011. DFPS allowed this facilitythat was responsible for four deaths, numerous allegations of
sexual abuse, and unthinkable treatment of developmentally disabled childrento operate for 17
years. (See PX 2172-75). The Court understands DFPSs concern that enforcement might affect
placement availability. The Court does not understand, nor tolerate, the systemic willingness to
put children in mortal harms way. The Court finds that DFPSs inadequate licensing and
inspecting causes an unreasonable risk of harm to LFC children.
Part of the problem, as with CVS caseworkers, is that RCCL workers are vastly
overburdened. Chansuthus determined that RCCL inspectors and investigators in Region 3
would need 34 work days each month in fiscal year 2011 to complete their assigned tasks. (PX
2021 at 70). Since then, RCCL workers workloads have only increased. The number of
licensed residential operations has remained relatively constant over the years: 10,361 in 2009
compared to 10,286 in 2013. Yet the number of RCCL caseworkers declined from 136 in 2009
to 89 in March 2014. (PX 2021 at 21). Caseloads have markedly increased as a result. In 2012,
monthly caseloads averaged 9.6 per RCCL worker. In 2014, the average was 18.4 for
monitoring workers and 16.3 for investigators.52 (PX 640; DX 136). As with CVS caseworkers,
excessive caseloads have contributed to turnover. The yearly turnover for RCCL investigators is
a staggering 41.2%. (PX 1993 at 76). RCCL recognized this crisis and asked for additional staff
in its 2016-17 funding request, to allow for the caseload to average out to a more manageable
52
In 2014, DFPS began reporting inspector and investigator caseloads separately. (D.E. 301 at 14-15).
210
workload, which would help reduce risk to children placed in residential operations and promote
staff retention. (PX 898).
Chansuthus reviewed RCCLs work and found that its caseworkers were struggling with
follow ups, they were struggling with conducting thorough risk assessments, they were
struggling with doing safety plans, they were struggling with completing a number of the tasks
that they were charged by their own standards and policies with doing. (D.E. 324 at 118).
Besides being full of errors, RCCLs investigations were often late. Only 58% of investigations
were completed within the required 45-day timeframe. (PX 1118). Chansuthus attributed the
deficiencies to staffing issues. (D.E. 324 at 118). RCCL workers echo this sentiment, saying
they feel overwhelmed and unable to complete timely [investigations.] (PX 1117 at 5).
Also similar to CVS caseworkers, DFPS has not conducted an RCCL workload study.
DFPS has no idea how much time each RCCL task takes or should take. Nor has DFPS
established caseload ranges for RCCL workers. DFPS does not know what is a manageable
caseload. Until a workload and time measurement study is done, Chansuthus explained, RCCL
has no management basis for determining exactly what its true needs are and cannot be certain
it is addressing those needs in a manner that will support quality performance. (PX 2021 at 23).
As of trial, DFPS had no plan to find out. Thus, while DFPS asked for an additional 20
inspectors, 20 investigators, 9 supervisors, 1 program manager, and 1 state office program
specialist in its 2016-17 funding request, it is aiming in the dark.
In sum, the Court finds that DFPSs insufficient oversight of its licensed foster care
facilities has caused harm and an unreasonable risk of harm to LFC children.
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a. DFPS is Deliberately Indifferent Toward RCCL Operations
DFPS has known for over a decade about RCCLs faulty investigations and the
substantial risk of serious harm they pose to LFC children. In 2004, a Comptroller Report
mentioned investigation shortcomings as a major concern. A 2007 report reiterated the 2004
reports worry and recommended thoroughly investigating all complaints, allegations or reports
and making the results public. (PX 1966 at 29). In 2012, PMU reviewed 89 investigations
from the year prior and concluded that 20% should not have been approved by supervisors
because most of those were inadequate in the preponderance explanation. (PX 1074 at 21). A
year later, PMU and Shaw reviewed the 111 UTD dispositions discussed supra, which came
back with a 75% error rate. Each year there are around 5000 investigations, 2000 of which are
for abuse and neglect. Due to RCCLs systemic failures, children are left with their abusers
without receiving necessary treatment, and adult perpetrators continue to house foster children
with nothing indicating a risk. The substantial risk of serious harm to LFC children from faulty
investigations is obvious. Hernandez, 380 F.3d at 881. DFPS has presented no evidence that
it has acted reasonably to this known risk. Farmer, 511 U.S. at 844.
Likewise, the Court finds that DFPS was aware of the substantial risk of serious harm
posed by not tracking child-on-child abuse. The 2004 Comptroller Report recommended
keeping sexually abused children separate from other children; tracking and reporting the
number of reports it receives concerning child-on-child physical and sexual abuse by facility.
(See PX 1966 at 29). The 2007 Texas Appleseed Report, which was given to DFPS, reiterated
these recommendations. (Id.; see also D.E. 299 at 66-67). In November 2012, DFPS explained
in an internal memo that Children who are removed from their homes and brought into the
foster care system are victims of abuse and/or neglect. As a result of their abuse and/or neglect,
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these victim children may display a number of inappropriate behaviors with each other in the
home or at school. (DX 21 at 1). In the same memo, DFPS said it must focus on safety and
treatment for all child victims through proper notification to all key parties of an RCCL
investigation, careful monitoring, and case management intervention. Id. at 1-2. In July 2013,
DFPS again acknowledged, Incidents involving allegations of child victimization in foster care
require immediate attention from CPS. (DX 34 at 1). At trial, experts for both parties said that
children with sexual abuse histories should be placed in single-child placements. (See, e.g., D.E.
328 at 161; D.E. 329 at 161; D.E. 303 at 8). Likewise, Specia admitted that children who are
known victims of sexual abuse will act out with other children. (D.E. 299 at 70). Yet DFPS
does not track child-on-child abuse, which is unimaginable to other child welfare experts. (D.E.
303 at 6-7). As a result, children like D.I. unnecessarily experience abuse that affects themas
well as the children they interact withthe rest of their lives. Further, DFPS has no plans to
begin tracking this critically important piece of information. What is more, it appears that
DFPS is equipped to track child-on-child abuse, but simply refuses to do so. As recently as July
2010, RCCL investigation reports had checkboxes for Child on Child Sexual Abuse and
Child on Child Physical Abuse. (See PX 185 at 46 (filed under seal)). Even though this
information was not tracked in a centralized, easily retrievable fashion, it at least was noted in
the RCCL CLASS records for each child. According to Morris and Shaw, however, those
checkboxes are now outdated or inaccurate, and are no longer used. (D.E. 301 at 80; D.E. 304 at
45-46). The Court holds that DFPS is deliberately indifferent toward its faulty investigations,
including not tracking child-on-child abuse, which causes an unreasonable risk of harm to the
LFC Subclass.
213
DFPS is also deliberately indifferent toward RCCLs enforcement. A 2008 report given
to DFPS listed licensing oversight as a problem area. (PX 1273 at 779). Yet DFPS continues
to under-regulate licensed facilities. In fiscal year 2013, CCL cited licensed facilities for 6050
violations, but only issued 12 corrective actions and one adverse action. Over the past five years,
CCL has issued four adverse actions against residential operations. CCL has closed only one
facility in the past five years, but not until the fourth homicide. When confronted with
recommendations on how to improve, CCL uniformly ignores them. For example, CCL employs
risk analysts to determine the most appropriate action for reducing the risk of harm to children
in a licensed facility. (DX 119 at 93). CCL rarely heeds their advice, and has never followed a
recommendation to impose administrative penalties. Id. at 91, 93. CCL also ignores its internal
quality control experts at PMU. In 2011 and 2012, CCL did not follow a single license
revocation recommendation. (PX 1111 at 10, 12). As discussed supra, after PMUs and Shaws
review of UTD cases, No licenses were suspended . . . . None were revoked . . . . No penalties
were established on any of these facilities . . . [and] the State didnt move any of the children.
(D.E. 301 at 50-51). The substantial risk of serious harm posed to LFC children by improperly
licensed and regulated facilities is obvious. Hernandez, 380 F.3d at 881. DFPS produced no
evidence that it has acted reasonably to respond to this risk. The Court holds that DFPS is
deliberately indifferent toward its inadequate licensing and enforcement, which causes an
unreasonable risk of harm to the LFC Subclass.
The Court also finds that DFPS is deliberately indifferent toward the substantial risk
posed by an inadequate RCCL workforce. In 2010, RCCL staff reported that caseworker and
supervisory responsibilities were too large and workloads too intense to effectively monitor
operations. (PX 1937 at 17). Since that time, RCCLs workforce has shrunk by over 30%
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while total cases remain the same. RCCL knows that manageable workloads would help reduce
risk to children placed in residential operations and promote staff retention. (PX 898). Yet
DFPS has not conducted a workload study of RCCL workers, established caseload ranges for
RCCL workers, or determined what a manageable caseload would be. Although RCCL has
asked for additional staff, the request is not grounded in any knowledge about RCCLs or LFC
childrens needs. This a step in the right direction, but without evidence of how the additional
staff will correct RCCLs systemic problems, the Court finds that DFPSs response is not
reasonable.
In sum, DFPS is aware that faulty investigations, not tracking child-on-child abuse,
inadequate licensing and enforcement, and an insufficient workforce all pose a substantial risk of
serious harm to LFC children. DFPS has consciously disregarded each of these risks. The Court
therefore finds that DFPS is deliberately indifferent toward the LFC Subclass.
b. DFPS Substantially Departs from Professional Judgment Toward RCCL

Operations
Failure to act on a 75% error rate on abuse and neglect investigations, when an acceptable
average is 2% or 3%, shows an absence of professional judgment. Not tracking child-on-child
abuse even though it is critical to foster childrens safety shows an absence of professional
judgment. Issuing one adverse action for 6050 violations, contrary to recommendations by two
quality control boards, shows an absence of professional judgment. Whether DFPS exercised
professional judgment regarding RCCLs workforce is the only question needing more than a
moments contemplation.
RCCL asked for 51 more staff in its 2016-17 budget request, which would bring its
workforce up to 140up from 136 in 2009. All the evidence, however, reveals that 140 people
cannot handle RCCLs workload. Although a decision if made by a professional, is
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presumptively valid, the Court is convinced that DFPSs response was such a substantial
departure from accepted professional judgment, practice or standards that it was not based on
such a judgment. Youngberg, 457 U.S. at 323.
It is commonsense that an agency should know what a manageable caseload is before it
determines how many workers it needs. As the CWLA explains, Every agency should conduct
a workload analysis to determine the appropriate workload standards for its child protective
services staff. (PX 2114 at 5.9). Completing a workload analysis gives an agency a true
picture of how much time and effort is required to do the tasks required for a specific position
and to allow [an agency] to know, given that this is how much time is required to complete these
tasks, how many staff [it] need[s] to have in order to handle the work. (D.E. 324 at 120). This
does not strike the Court as revolutionary. DFPS, however, has not conducted a workload study,
nor does it have plans to do so.
Furthermore, DFPSs staffing request only returns the workforce to 2009 levels. Yet
problems with investigations, licensing, and tracking child-on-child abuse began well before
2009. Virgil aged out of foster care before 2009. She testified that she was sexually abused by
one of her foster families in a foster group home. When she reported the abuse, nothing ever
happened. Id. at 200. Virgil does not know if the incident was even investigated. Likewise,
Bentley entered foster care when she was two years old in the mid-1990s, and was sexually
abused by foster parents and other foster children Nonstop. Id. at 63. Bentley was also
physically abused, frequently showing up to school with bruises. She believes that people called
CPS, but to her knowledge few investigations were ever done. Id. at 66-67. When investigations
were done, and abuse was found, no actions were ever taken against the facilities. Id. In short,
RCCL did not base its staffing request on any identifiable professional standard, and their
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proposal would only return staffing levels to a time when the problems Plaintiffs allege were
rampant. The Court therefore finds that DFPSs decision was such a substantial departure from
accepted professional judgment that DFPS did not base the decision on such a judgment.
Regardless, the central inquiry is not whether DFPS exercised professional judgment in
regards to RCCL staffing. Rather, it is whether DFPS exercised professional judgment in
regards to RCCLs operations as a whole. See Alberti, 790 F.2d at 1224 (In determining the
constitutional question, we need not separately weigh each of the challenged institutional
practices and conditions, for we instead look to the totality of conditions.) (citation omitted).
Even if the Court finds DFPSs staffing request validwhich it does notan uptick in workers
is not enough to cure RCCLs systemic deficiencies. The Court has seen no evidence that 20
more investigators will cure DFPSs 75% investigation error rate, or that 20 more inspectors will
begin enforcing licensing standards when RCCL has been ignoring two quality control boards
for years, or that new workers will begin tracking child-on-child abuse. Returning the RCCL
workforce to 2009 levels is not a silver bullet considering that Plaintiffs other allegations were
well ingrained at that time.
The Court finds that DFPSs disregard of investigations, child-on-child abuse,
enforcement, and appropriate staffing levels shows that DFPS substantially departs from
professional judgment toward RCCL operations.
2. The State Maintains an Inadequate Placement Array
Plaintiffs allege that DFPS has a policy of maintaining an insufficient number,
geographic distribution, and array of placements. This inadequate placement array, as
Plaintiffs call it, is a structural deficiency that forces LFC children to be placed in settings that
cause an unreasonable risk of harm. The Court agrees.
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Texas policy requires that DFPS find the best available placement option for foster
children. (PX 50 at 5). To determine that option, DFPS must consider the childs immediate
and long-term personal needs and the childs need for continuity, stability, and permanency. Id.
at 6. To that end, the placement must be within the same county (or within 50 miles of the
parents home if the home is near the county boundary line) unless an exception is justified. Id.
at 7. When appropriate, placements should be with families as opposed to group care facilities,
because Families are considered to be least restrictive settings for children. Id. at 4. Further,
Whenever possible, children should be placed with their siblings. Id. at 8. In short, foster
children should be placed with their siblings in the least restrictive, most family-like settings
available that are close to their home community. Id. at 6. Plaintiffs allege that these policies
cannot be satisfied because of DFPSs inadequate placement array.
To reiterate, Plaintiffs do not have a constitutional right to be placed in the least
restrictive, most family like placement, or placed with their siblings, or placed close to their
home community. Violating Texas policy does not necessarily equate with violating the
Constitution. To have a cognizable substantive due process claim, Texass inadequate placement
array must violate Plaintiffs right to be free from harm and an unreasonable risk of harm.
It is beyond question that DFPSs placement array is inadequate. First, there is an
imbalance in geographic distribution of services. (PX 1864 at 19). In other words, while some
counties have excess capacity, other counties have fewer than 0.5 beds per child entering care.
(D.E. 315 at 43-44). It is not just the number, but the types of placements that are also poorly
distributed. When a Basic-level child enters care in a county that only has space for higher level
needs children, that child will be sent away. As a result of Texass inadequate array, 39% of
children are placed out of region and 60% are placed out of county. (Id. at 41-42; D.E. 300 at
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101; DX 183 at 4). This is a high number. (D.E. 303 at 90). Attorney ad litem Stukenberg
testified that is typical for DFPS to ship[] very young children all across the State, especially to
emergency shelters in search of an appropriate placement. (D.E. 324 at 216). It is also typical
for foster children to sleep in CPS officeson inflatable mattresses without sheets or pillows
because there are no available beds. (DX 18 at 1; PX 1217 at 5; D.E. 327 at 201-02). DFPS
recognizes that its imbalance in geographic distribution of services results in children and
youth without placements, and children and youth placed out of their home regions due to
unavailability of appropriate placement resources within their regions. (D.E. 315 at 34-36; PX
1217 at 8-9).
Second, DFPSs inadequate array results in children and youth not placed with their
siblings due to unavailability of appropriate placement resources. (PX 1864 at 19; PX 1271 at
8-9). [A]ccording to established professional standards and federal and state policy, children
should be placed with their siblings unless doing so is inadvisable due to a therapeutic or safety
concern. (PX 2037 at 39). Texas policy says the same. (PX 50 at 8). Yet Texass foster
children are separated from their siblings at an alarming rate. (PX 2037 at 59). As of June
2014, only 64.7% of siblings groups were placed together. (DX 142 at 1). For comparison,
Tennessee places 84% of sibling groups together. (D.E. 303 at 73).
Third, foster children are placed in inappropriate facilities. Specifically, DFPS relies too
heavily on congregate care facilities, which are not conducive to supporting youth in engaging
activities that help them practice for adulthood, or to helping young people build social
capital. (PX 2037 at 38-39). As of September 2012, 13.2% of children who were age 12 or
younger, and who had been in care for at least 18 months (i.e., PMC), were placed in either
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group homes or institutions. (PX 2128 at 1). The nationwide average is 4.9%. Id. Texas ranks
second worst, and the State is increasing its reliance on group care settings. (D.E. 300 at 60).
Fourth, sexually aggressive children are not placed in single-child homes, the safe and
appropriate placement. As discussed supra, sexually abused children often become sexualized
and initiate abuse in the future. See p. 207. That is why, Gonzalez explained, sexually abused
children should be in homes where they are the only child. (D.E. 328 at 161). Defendants
expert P. Wilson agreed: You look for a home where that would be the only child in that home.
(D.E. 329 at 161). DFPS, however, does not track how many single-child foster homes are
available. After several prods from the Court, DFPS produced data on how many of single-child
homes are in use. (See, e.g., D.E. 320 at 50-52; D.E. 328 at 164; D.E. 329 at 162). Of DFPSs
12,000 foster homes, 262 house one PMC child, but DFPS could not say if there were other
adoptive or biological children in the homes. (D.E. 330 at 127). It is unclear whether these
homes were designated as single-child placements, or if that occurred by happenstance. It is also
unclear if the children in these homes were placed there because of abuse backgrounds or
otherwise. Defendants could not confirm how many of these homes, if any, were reserved for
abused children. Considering that sexually abused children are frequently placed with other
children, sometimes in the same room, the Court is certain that DFPS does not maintain enough
single-child homes. See supra p. 207.
Plaintiffs also allege that DFPSs inadequate array causes frequent placement moves.
The Court, however, is not convinced. Rather, placement moves are more a product of changing
levels of care or behavior issues. An inadequate array may cause an initial inappropriate
placement, but the Court does not follow Plaintiffs logic in how an inadequate array causes
additional moves. The Court does find that frequent moves are the norm among PMC children.
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As of August 2014, 28.7% of PMC children had experienced five or more placements, and
7.69% had experienced ten or more placements. M.D. had 19 placements, A.M. had 21, and
K.E. had 27. Former foster child Jackson had 40 over six years. (D.E. 324 at 184). Shuttling
children from pillar to post and staying for short period of time is undoubtedly traumatic.
(D.E. 303 at 78). For example, J.S. had ten placements in seven years, some over 500 miles
from his home county. He attended eight different schools, each in different counties. J.S. is
now a virtual non-reader. (D.E. 326 at 115). According to Carter, J.S. has severe attachment
deficits in part because he was provided no stability whatsoever. Id. at 114. Likewise, Carter
explained that A.M. had no sense of belonging, in part because any time she achieved relative
stability, DFPS moved her level of care improved. Id. at 122. Carter testified that the impact of
frequent moves from a psychological standpoint is potent and that identity disorders are
rampant within that population of children. Id. at 97, 128. Nonetheless, Texass inadequate
placement array does not cause frequent moves. Instead, the effects of the inadequate array
placements outside of home communities, sibling separation, an overreliance on congregate care
facilities, not placing sexualized children in single-child homesare exacerbated by frequent
moves. The Court now turns to whether these effects cause an unreasonable risk of harm to
Plaintiffs.
When children are removed from their home communities, they are uprooted from
everything . . . thats familiar. (D.E. 303 at 90). DFPS policy requires home community
placements because Children and youth who have been removed from their homes have a high
need for stability and continuity of care. (PX 50 at 7). As Carter explained, removing children
from their family, friends, school, and church may disrupt existing attachments and impact a
childs ability to form new ones. (PX 2015 at 6). A lack of stability can be damaging to the
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psychological health and development of children in foster care, and can lead to any number of
psychological issues including depression and defiance. Id. DFPSs inadequate array causes
instability. It moves children hundreds of miles away from their home communities, siblings,
schools, and other supports, disrupting their school and family relationships. (DX 119 at 45;
PX 1877 at 32). Regional Director Bowman agreed that placing children far from home
negatively affects the bonds and connections that children need to be emotionally healthy. Yet
39% of children are placed out of their home region and 60% are placed out of their home
county. The combined effects of the inadequate array and frequent moves means that any
stability a PMC child may gain in her initial placement is destroyed when she is relocated. For
example, the Court counts at least four occasions where J.S. was sent over 200 miles to new
placements. Likewise, K.E. was twice moved over 250 miles. Because K.E.s 27 placement
changes took her all over Texas, she attended at least 12 schools in ten years. Like many of the
Named Plaintiffs, K.E. had to repeat grades and functions academically well below her age.
Cross-state moves also impede primary caseworkers ability to visit their foster children.
As discussed supra, primary caseworker are foster childrens lifelines. See Section IV.A. Yet,
due to a lack of funding and a lack of time, primary caseworkers cant go and meet with
[children] face to face when they are placed out of county or region. (D.E. 324 at 22). Thus,
foster children are forced to rely on secondary I See You workers. McCall acknowledged at trial
that I See You workers were created by DFPS ten years ago at least in part because children were
too often being sent far from their home communities and primary caseworkers. (See D.E. 305
at 62). Although secondary workers do not protect foster children from an unreasonable risk of
harm, they undoubtedly help Texas represent to the federal government that caseworkers visit
children in foster care at least once per month. If the percent of children in Texas visited by
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caseworkers monthly were to drop below 90% (and after the 2015 fiscal year, below 95%),
Texas would lose millions of dollars in federal aid under Title IV-B of the Social Security Act.
See 42 U.S.C.A. 624(f)(1). As discussed supra, the quality of I See You worker visits is
inconsistent and often questionable. See pp. 171-76. The Court finds that moving children far
from their home communities causes an unreasonable risk of harm to the LFC Subclass.
In addition, separating siblings harms foster children. Carter explained that entering
foster care is in and of itself a frightening experience. (D.E. 326 at 119-20). When entering
care, siblings often become all one another has to rely on. Id. at 118-19. When they are split
up for whatever reason, foster children feel hopeless . . . [and] helpless because even the
people they came into care with, their own siblings, are no longer around to provide them
support and a safety net, a sense of belonging. Id. at 119-20. Carter also explained, Not only
do [foster] children suffer the hurt of permanent removal from adult family members, but
severing them from siblings re-traumatizes them and adds further severe damage to the youths
sense of belonging. (PX 2015 at 10). For example, A.M. expressed a great deal of angst over
the loss of her relationship with her three younger half-siblings. Id. In short, as DFPS
recognized in 2008, Children suffer trauma when separated from siblings. (PX 1273 at 20).
That is why DFPS policy requires keeping siblings together Whenever possible. (PX 50 at 8).
DFPSs inadequate array, however, forces sibling apart at an alarming rate. (PX 2037 at 59).
Further, when siblings do separate, DFPS policy requires that sibling visits occur frequently.
(PX 52 at 87). Yet former caseworkers testified that when children are placed in separate
counties or regions, arranging a sibling visit is a nightmare because caseworkers do not have
the time or the funding. (D.E. 324 at 22-23). For example, when L.H. and her six siblings were
separated, the department was not able to arrange visitations in spite of the siblings crying in
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court over the separation. (D.E. 327 at 195-97). The Court finds that separating siblings at an
alarming rate creates an unreasonable risk of harm to the LFC Subclass.
Inappropriate placements also harm foster children. The 2010 Texas Appleseed report
found that DFPS has a history of poor foster care placements. (PX 1988 at 10). In part, DFPS
admitted, this is because information for matching a child to a placement is often inadequate.
(D.E. 300 at 57-58). A former primary caseworker testified that placements would sometimes
be made based on the availability of a bed rather than the appropriateness of the match. (D.E.
323 at 45). Solis, the attorney ad litem for S.A., said CPSs only response to poor placements is
that is the only one thats available. Id. at 30. Due to DFPSs inadequate array, M.D. stayed at
a facility for over a year after alleging that a staff member raped her because DFPS didnt have
anywhere else to move her. (D.E. 324 at 223-24).
In particular, DFPS over-relies on GROs. A GRO, also called a congregate care
placement, is a child-care facility that provides care for more than 12 children for 24 hours a
day. Tex. Hum. Res. Code Ann. 42.002(4). GROs include RTCs, halfway houses,
emergency shelters, and therapeutic camps, and may be a single building or a campus with
multiple cottages. (Id.; see also D.E. 300 at 68). They are much more restrictive and less
family-like than other placements. (PX 50 at 7). Dr. Miller testified that we know that placing
children in the most family-like setting possible, as opposed to GROs, is not only whats best
for children, its absolutely essential if those children are going to be whole and remain whole.
(D.E. 303 at 51-52). Professional literature reflects that congregate care placements for young
children lead to poor developmental outcomes, and qualitative studies have raised concerns
about the negative impact of group care settings on older children, especially in terms of safety.
(PX 2037 at 54). Yet DFPS is second worst in the nation at placing young children in
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congregate care. GROs are designed to address serious therapeutic needs, which is why DFPS
discourages placing Basic-level children in GROs except for short-term, emergency cases. (See
PX 50 at 29-30). Nonetheless, at the time of trial, there were 356 Basic-level PMC children in
non-emergency GROs. (D.E. 300 at 74-75).
DFPSs overreliance on GROs effectively institutionalizes children that do not belong in
these placements. Part of the problem is that, unlike children who live in foster family homes,
children in GROs have to navigate significant bureaucracy to simply participate in extra-
curricular activities or spend time at friends houses. It took former foster child Arce almost a
year just to get a sponsor to visit with a friend who lived outside the GRO. (D.E. 324 at 55).
Further, GROs strict regulations keep children from learning basic life skills. Children at GROs
never learn how to use a knife to cut their food because theyre not allowed to have knives
where they live. Nor do they learn how to make a medical appointment for themselves or
how to answer a phone or take a message or leave a message for anybody. (D.E. 307 at 29-
30). Attorney ad litem Langsley testified that D.P., who had most of her time in congregate care
facilities, left foster care without knowing how to use a computer or fill out a job application.
(D.E. 323 at 75). When A.M. left foster care, She didnt know you could go to the store and
buy something. It was a foreign concept for her. Id. at 98. In Carters opinion, A.M. aged out
of care in a manner typical of many foster children, unprepared for adulthood, for marriage,
family life, social settings, [and] occupation. Id. at 136, 194.
In addition to leaving foster care without basic life skills, DFPSs inadequate array
assures that many of the 1300 children who age out of care every year leave the system far from
their home communities. The most tragic consequence the Court heard comes from Sharp.
During his eight years in foster care, Sharp was placed in 18 or 19 congregate care settings.
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When one of his congregate care facilities in Houston was closing, the only available
placementin the entire Statewas in the Panhandle where he had previously been abused.
Sharp told the Court, I decided that I would rather leave the system and just try to make it on
my own so I packed some things up and I left. (D.E. 325 at 178-79). He spent the next six
months homeless in Houston, 600 miles away from his home community of Dumas, Texas,
living on top of a shopping strip, making money by donating blood and prostitution. Id. at
178-80. When he went to donate blood a third time, they told me I couldnt do it anymore
because I was HIV positive. Id. at 180. Likewise, the last time M.D. was seen after she ran
away from her Houston RTC, she was involved in the Houston sex trade, 200 miles from her
home community in Corpus Christi.
It also appears that a corollary of inappropriate placements is overmedication. M.D., for
example, was rotated between 16 psychotropic drugs while in care. Sharp explained that Every
foster child apparently has Oppositional Defiant Disorder, ADHD, a wide of things that certainly
I dont think are true. Id. at 178. While he was in foster care, Sharp took a number of
psychotropic drugs for Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia and ODD. Id. Soon after aging out,
Sharp visited a psychiatrist who told him to stop taking his medications because he did not have
those disorders. Id. Langsley testified that D.P. went through 54 placements while in foster
care. (D.E. 323 at 70). As D.P. shifted through placements, her medications were constantly
being adjusted, readjusted. Id. at 71-72. Prior to one of Langsleys visits, D.P. was chemically
restrained, meaning she was injected with a drug cocktail that a physician prescribed. Id. at
73. The physician left it up to the staff to administer however many shots they wanted to. Id.
Lastly, placing sexually abused children with other children in foster family homes and
foster group homes causes an unreasonable risk of harm. Sexually abused children either need to
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be placed in GROs where there is strict oversight, or in single-child placements. (See D.E. 328
at 161; D.E. 329 at 161). Yet sexually abused children are often placed alongside other children
in loosely regulated environments, sometimes in the same room.
In sum, the Court finds that DFPSs inadequate array places children far from their home
communities, separated from their siblings, and in inappropriate placements. The Court also
finds that the totality of conditions causes an unreasonable risk of harm to LFC children, which
are exacerbated by the frequency with which children are shuttled around the State. See Alberti,
790 F.2d at 1224. The Court holds that DFPSs inadequate placement array causes an
unreasonable risk of harm to the LFC Subclass.
a. DFPS is Deliberately Indifferent Toward its Placement Array
DFPS has known about its array problems for years. In 2006, DFPS knew there were
children without placement[s]. (DX 18 at 1). By 2007, DFPS knew that it frequently moved
children from one caregiver to another. (PX 1966 at 6). By 2008, DFPS knew that it had
placement quality and capacity issues, including:
Children and youth without placements children in settings supervised by

CPS due to unavailability of appropriate placement resources and/or provider
rejection of the referral;
Children and youth placed out of their home regions due to unavailability of
appropriate placement resources within their home regions;
Children and youth not placed with their siblings due to unavailability of
appropriate placement resources; [and]
Lack of available and appropriate placement options for children and youth
with challenging service needs[.]
(PX 1271 at 8-9). Another 2008 report identified sibling group issues as an area of concern,
noting an Increased difficulty in finding appropriate homes and that Children suffer trauma
when separated from siblings. (PX 1273 at 20). That report also said that DFPS lacks
resources in rural areas. Id. at 23. DFPS reiterated these problems in a 2010 report to the Texas
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Legislature, saying, Finding appropriate placements for children who come into foster care
remains difficult because the needs of the children do not always match the number, type, and
location of the placement options available. (PX 1286 at 23). In 2011, CPS recognized that
Too many children in foster care are placed outside their home communities away from
siblings, peers, families, school, churches and support networks. (PX 939 at 1). Specia echoed
these concerns at trial. (See D.E. 299 at 39). The Court holds that DFPS was aware of facts
from which the inference could be drawn that a substantial risk of serious harm exists.
The Court is also convinced that DFPS drew that inference. DFPS agrees there is a
causal link between moving a child far from his home community and [his] outcomes. (D.E.
300 at 54). At trial, Black acknowledged that moving children outside their home communities
and apart from their siblings . . . lead[s] to poorer outcomes for these children. Id. Two
Directors of DFPS Regions agreed that it is absolutely not good for children to move away
from home communities, as it makes it more challenging to stay connected to family and
remain emotionally healthy. (D.E. 311 at 40; D.E. 312 at 34-35). The person in charge of
revamping DFPSs array explained that placing children close to home, placing children in the
least restrictive placement setting, placing children with their siblings, maintaining connections
for children with those that are important to them all have to do with the overall safety of
children in foster care. (D.E. 328 at 182-83).
The Court also finds that the risks of harm posed by an inadequate array are obvious.
See Hernandez, 380 F.3d at 881. The Court did not need to read a volume of studies to figure
out that placing children hundreds of miles from all that is familiar, separating siblings, housing
children in facilities that are inappropriate for their needs, leaving children in facilities where
they have been abused, and placing sexualized children in the same room as other children
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without proper oversight, all present substantial risks of serious harm. Reading the studies that
DFPS has had access to for nearly a decade, and hearing the testimony from DFPS employees,
confirmed that DFPS actually knew what was obvious.
The remaining inquiry to determine if DFPS is deliberately indifferent is whether DFPS
responded reasonably to the risk. DFPS points to Foster Care Redesign as its reasonable
response. Launched in January 2010, Foster Care Redesign is DFPSs solution to its inadequate
array.53 (PX 969 at 3). Under DFPSs old system or legacy system, the agency contracts with
around 300 private CPAs for 90% of foster placements. (DX 119 at 45). DFPS directly provides
the remaining 10%. Id. The legacy system uses an open enrollment process to procure
residential childcare services, but it does not ensure that providers locate in places where services
are needed, which creates the geographic imbalance in services that forces children out of their
home communities. (PX 969 at 4). For example, there is no residential treatment center in
Texas south of San Antonio. (D.E. 327 at 203; see also Attachment 2). Furthermore, under the
legacy system, Because very few providers have all the placement settings and services that are
necessary to meet the needs of children regardless of service levels, children move from provider
to provider when service levels change. (PX 969 at 4). In other words, when children improve
or decline, they are moved. The legacy system also creates perverse incentives by paying
providers more money for children with higher service levels. It is therefore in a providers
financial interest for children to not improve.
Foster Care Redesign does away with open enrollment. Instead of contracting with
private providers to run operations wherever they choose, Foster Care Redesign contracts with
53
DFPS was clear that Foster Care Redesign is only intended to fix its inadequate array, not caseworker turnover,
not RCCL investigations or licensing, and not how foster group homes are regulated. (D.E. 316 at 6).
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Single Source Continuum Contractors (SSCC) that provide a full continuum of paid foster care
services designed to meet the needs of all children who enter care in the designated [geographic]
area that DFPS chooses. Id. at 5. In this way, children will not have to relocate hundreds of
miles if their service level changes. Although DFPSs caseworkers responsibilities remain the
same, SSCCs are accountable for well-being and permanency outcomes, that support placing
children close to home in the least restrictive, most family-like settings. Id. Foster Care
Redesign also does away with the payment incentive structure. Lastly, Foster Care Redesign is
cost-neutral, so DFPS spends no more on SSCCs than it paid providers under the legacy system.
The Court is encouraged by the idea of Foster Care Redesign, but discouraged by its
results. More than five years into being, the program is active in only 2% of the counties in
Texas, covering 800 foster children. (D.E. 316 at 4-5; D.E. 328 at 201). In spite of numerous
recommendations, DFPS has not set a timeline or implementation schedule. (D.E. 316 at 32). In
addition, DFPS has not:
Clearly delineated and defined the case management roles and responsibilities
of DFPS and the single-source continuum contractors;
Identified training needs and addressed long-range and continuous plans for
the training and cross training of staff;
Articulated plans for evaluating the costs and tasks involved with each single-
source continuum contract procurement to better inform future resource
needs;
More formally communicated plans for evaluating the performance of
contractors and the foster care redesign system as a whole; or
Reported on transition issues resulting from redesign implementation.
(DX 119 at 49-50). DFPS simply has no roadmap for the overall effort. Id. at 49. Until it
does, Texas remains unprepared to manage current and future foster care redesign efforts. Id.
at 50. This is particularly troubling because no other state has a similar model that DFPS can use
as a guidepost. (D.E. 316 at 15-17). All told, the foster care re-design model to outsource the
administration of the foster care system is a risky endeavor. (DX 119 at 48).
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In the five years of Foster Care Redesign, DFPS has entered only two SSCC contracts
one was an abject failure, and there is no data on the other. The first SSCC, Providence Service
Corporation, was hired by Specia in spite of recommendations not to hire them based on
Inconsistencies and Areas of Risk. (PX 978 at 11). Far from placing children in the least
restrictive facilities, Providence placed more children in RTCs and emergency shelters than the
providers under the legacy system. (D.E. 300 at 87). Only 57.9% of children under
Providences management were placed in foster family homes, compared to 70.3% of children
statewide, and 70.8% of children in the regions where Providence operated. (PX 937 at 3).
Children still slept in CPS offices because Providence wasnt finding placements for them.
(D.E. 300 at 87-88). Moreover, Providence failed to place children close to their homesthe
central aim of Foster Care Design. In fact, Providence only placed 29% of children within 50
miles of their home7% below their contract baseline, and worse than the legacy systems
figures. (D.E. 316 at 17-19). Despite Providences abysmal performance, DFPS did not end the
contract in part out of fear that Providence would sue them. Id. at 27, 29. Providence quit after a
year and a half because they lost $2 million and could not make the contract work.
DFPS has only contracted with one other SSCC, but performance data is not yet
available. That said, DFPS almost contracted with Lutheran Social Services of the South before
the Providence contract. DFPS tentatively awarded an SSCC contract to Lutheran, but backed
out at the last moment because of an adverse licensing action against them. (DX 17 at 5).
Defendants could not tell the Court the reason for the adverse licensing action, though Reinhardt,
the Director of Foster Care Redesign, agreed that it could have been related to the deaths of
children in Lutherans care around that time. (D.E. 316 at 23-26).
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The Court holds that Foster Care Redesign is not a reasonable response to the risks
associated with DFPSs inadequate array, and therefore DFPS is deliberately indifferent. Foster
Care Redesign is a proven failure that Texas has not attempted to fix. The only data available
shows that Foster Care Redesign has made Texass placement array worse. Fewer children were
placed close to home. Fewer children were placed in appropriate settings. Children were still
sleeping in offices. The SSCC lost $2 million in a year and a half and quit. This is not a
sustainable or reasonable program. The Court does not know why DFPSs first instinct is to
reinvent the wheel. This was displayed in its stage-counting approach, which masks caseworker
workloads so that even DFPS officials do not know how many children each caseworker
handles. It is also displayed in Foster Care Redesign, which is unlike any other child welfare
privatization effort. The Court has seen no evidence that DFPS has tried to fix the program
despite the failures with Providence. The Court cannot imagine how DFPS will fix Foster Care
Redesign, let alone its placement array, if it must remain cost-neutral.
Furthermore, Foster Care Redesign has reached only 2% of Texas over five years. Even
if it performed well, the Court would be pressed to find that a program with such a small reach
and no timetable for expansionis a reasonable response to statewide problems. Further,
Plaintiffs point out that after trial the House and Human Services Committee recommended that
the program be put on hold. (D.E. 345 at 57). In sum, even though Foster Care Redesign may
have been conceived with good intentions, it was defective and half-baked from the start. Foster
Care Redesign is an unprecedented program that never addressed many critical areas, that never
had an implementation plan, and that may no longer exist. With Foster Care Redesign as
DFPSs sole response, the Court holds that DFPS is deliberately indifferent toward its inadequate
placement array, which causes an unreasonable risk of harm to the LFC Subclass.
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b. DFPS Substantially Departs from Professional Judgment Toward its Placement

Array
The Court also finds that DFPS substantially departs from professional judgment toward
its placement array. As discussed, Foster Care Redesign is a unique program. CPS testified that
there is none similar. It was therefore not based on another states professional judgment,
practice, or standard. Likewise, DFPS has never done a formal assessment of its placement
needs across the State. DFPS does not know how many children are at each care level, where
those children are located, or its distribution of placements for each care level across the State.
Thus, DFPS does not know where and in what ways its array needs to be improved. It is not that
DFPS did not think of this obvious step. A 2008 report explicitly said, To address current
substitute care placement capacity issues and meet future placement needs, a strategic plan based
on a comprehensive statewide assessment of substitute care placement capacity and related
services is needed. (PX 1273 at 9). The report went on to say, Capacity needs must be
assessed by reviewing the individual needs of children and comparing their needs to the
availability of appropriate substitute care placement within reasonable proximity of the
childrens homes. Id. DFPS never performed a comprehensive study. Instead, DFPS appended
two pages onto a progress report, which included no figures on capacity or needs. (DX 17 at 13).
DFPS did conduct a bed capacity analysis in 2010, but that study only assessed the
number of foster children and beds in each county. This study did not include service levels,
which is crucial for placing children correctly. Nor did this study consider keeping sibling
groups together. The study also depended on data from 2009, and noted that more recent data
were needed. (PX 1277 at 1, 3).
In short, DFPSs attempted fix was an unprecedented program that was not based on any
data, and has proven to be a failure. While a decision made by a professional is presumptively
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valid, the Court finds DFPSs response such a substantial departure from accepted professional
judgment, practice, or standards as to demonstrate that the person responsible actually did not
base the decision on such a judgment. Youngberg, 457 U.S. at 323.
C. Foster Group Home Subclass
The Foster Group Home (FGH) Subclass includes all members of the General Class
who are now or will be in a foster group home. Plaintiffs allege that DFPS operates its foster
group homes in a constitutionally deficient manner. Specifically, Plaintiffs claim that DFPS
does not properly train its FGH staff or caregivers, has an insufficient number of FGH staff, does
not require 24-hour awake-night supervision at FGHs, and does not restrict the placement of
unrelated children of different genders, ages, and service levels in the same home. Plaintiffs
argue that these policies and practices amount to a structural deficiency that violates the FGH
Subclasss right to be free from an unreasonable risk of harm. The Court agrees.
Like many of DFPSs undertakings, foster group homes are unique to Texas. (See, e.g.,
D.E. 300 at 60-61). FGHs are licensed to provide residential care for 7 to 12 children. (PX 67 at
16). The limit of 12 children is supposed to include any biological and adopted children of the
caregivers who live in the foster home. Id. at 291. It seems, however, that those children are
not counted, allowing capacity to exceed 12. (D.E. 310 at 60; D.E. 326 at 25-26). As of August
2014, 932 PMC children lived in FGHs. (DX 268). FGHs appear to be a hybrid between foster
family homes (that contain one to six children) and congregate care facilities like GROs and
RTCs (which do not have a capacity limit), for which DFPS plucked the least-demanding
standards from each type of facility. FGHs reside in a grey-area that simultaneously provides
fewer benefits than foster family homes and fewer safeguards than congregate care facilities.
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It is difficult to compare FGHs to professional standards because they are unprecedented.
They do not exist in the nomenclature. (D.E. 303 at 89). What is clear, though, is that foster
care systems have stricter regulations for facilities with larger capacities because the more
children you have, the more risk that you have. Id. at 87. Yet, for reasons that escape the
Court, Texas exempts FGHs from greater regulations despite recognizing them as group
homes, and categorizing them with congregate care facilities. (D.E. 300 at 61; PX 50 at 7).
Therefore, the Court will compare FGHs to foster family homes and congregate care facilities,
when appropriate, to determine if FGH children are at an unreasonable risk of harm.
Plaintiffs first allege that DFPS causes an unreasonable risk of harm by placing unrelated
children of different ages, service levels, and genders together in FGHs. (D.E. 300 at 62-63, 66).
As of April 2014, 64% of FGHs with seven or more children mixed foster children 12 years old
and younger with at least one foster teen. Thirty-six percent of these homes mixed foster
children aged five to ten with at least one foster teen. (D.E. 326 at 22). Plaintiffs expert on
FGHs, Richter, testified that a very high percentage of . . . younger children were being placed
with older children. And we know that creates more risk. Id. at 22-23. The Court saw
evidence of FGHs with age ranges from 1 to 17, 2 to 17, less than 1 to 16, 2 to 16, 5 to 16, and 5
to 17. (PX 598). DFPS does not prohibit teenagers from sharing a bedroom with younger
children. (D.E. 315 at 10-11). In addition, theres no prohibition, theres no limitations, that
the State of Texas puts on foster group homes between children of different service levels.
(D.E. 300 at 66). In fact, 89% of FGHs with seven or more foster children had a mix of Basic,
Moderate, Specialized, or Intense service levels. (D.E. 326 at 24). Richter testified that 89% is
very, very high. Id. Further, DFPS allows for young girls and teenage boys to be placed in the
same foster group home. (D.E. 300 at 63).
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Richter testified that the most significant risk to FGH childrens safety is the fact theyre
unrelated. (D.E. 326 at 14). There are no bonds, there are no ties; and, therefore, theres not
that instinct to protect or not harm. Id. at 17-19. Foster family homes account for this instinct
by having a lower capacity, allowing for fewer unrelated children with greater monitoring.
Congregate care facilities account for this instinct by having more regulations plus greater
monitoring. FGHs do not account for this instinct at all.
The most egregious problem is that FGHs lack 24-hour awake-night supervision. (D.E.
300 at 61-62; D.E. 315 at 9-10). Richter described awake-night supervision as the minimum
support that should be given because it can prevent children from getting up from their beds
and going into bathrooms, other bedrooms for the purpose of sexual contact or aggression or
bullying or initiation into the foster group home. (D.E. 326 at 27; see also D.E. 303 at 87).
DFPS requires all the other group homes to have 24-hour awake-night supervision, but not
FGHs. (D.E. 300 at 61). As a result, you can have 12 unrelated children of different ages,
service levels, and genders in a foster group home and have the caregivers sound asleep every
night of the week. Id. at 62. There is [n]o doubt in Dr. Millers mind that this arrangement is
unsafe. (D.E. 303 at 89).
Carpenter testified that, in foster group homes that mix younger children with older
children, sexual abuse is usual rather than unusual. (D.E. 307 at 16-21; see also D.E. 324 at
202). The abuse often occurs at night when there is no supervision. Sharp explained that
nighttime was when things happened in foster group homes. (D.E. 324 at 175). In one of his
ten FGHs, Sharp said that a foster boy was sexually abused almost every night by one of the
bigger boys in the home while the caretakers were asleep on the other side of the house. Id. at
172. Because DFPS does not regulate mixing ages in foster group homes, let alone in bedrooms,
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the abuser and the abused actually shared a bunkbed. Id. In fact, all the foster children in that
group home shared one room with six bunk beds, while the foster parents and their two
biological children (each of whom had a separate room) lived and slept on the other side of the
house. Id. at 173. According to Sharp, it is common in foster group homes for the foster
children to be segregated in this way from the biological family, often living in a separate
building. Id. at 173-75. Similarly, when Jackson was 15, he shared an FGH bedroom with a 2-
year-old, a 16-year-old, and a 19-year-old. Id. at 192-93. The 16-year-old ended up in jail for
physically abusing the 2-year-old. Id. Jackson, who lived in around six foster group homes,
called FGHs unconscionable. Id. at 192. Because DFPS refuses to track child-on-child abuse,
older children with histories of abuse are placed in FGHs with younger children. This is
precisely what happened to 8-year-old D.I. who was repeatedly raped by a 16-year-old in a foster
group home at night. The 16-year-old, who had a history of sexual abuse, knew that the
caregiver was asleep and had one of the other children serve as a lookout . . . when the children
engaged in sexual activities to make sure the foster father did not wake up. (PX 185 at 58 (filed
under seal)). The Court reviewed scores of other tragic events at FGHs, including a 14-year-old
boy who abused his foster parents biological daughter by inserting his finger in the vagina of
[the] 4-year-old and making her bleed. (PX 495 at 254 (filed under seal)). The foster mother
later reported that two other foster children18-year-old [mentally handicapped] female, and
13-year-old [mentally handicapped] male also reported being touched by the 14 year old foster
child. Id. at 244.
Mixing children of varying service levels exacerbates these problems. Children at
different service levels have different needs. Richter testified that when you mix service levels,
you see bullying . . . when you place very aggressive or self-injurious kids in a home with
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[Basic-level] children, you now sacrifice a path for them . . . you may actually damage those
children to a point thats unconscionable. (D.E. 326 at 17). In spite of these dangers, DFPS
only requires two hours of extra transportation training for a caregiver to become certified to
operate an FGH as opposed to a foster family home. (Id. at 64). Also, for some unexplained
reason, DFPS requires fewer staff per child at FGHs than it does at foster family homes. In
foster family homes, DFPS policy states, A two-parent foster family home may care for up to
six children, a 1:3 ratio. (PX 67 at 219). In a foster group home, however, The number of
children one caregiver may supervise . . . is eight, a 1:8 ratio. Id. at 221. Plaintiffs expert Dr.
Miller testified, Its very difficult to monitor that many kids, especially . . . when you look at the
mix of age groups and the mix of disabilities or children with disabilitiesor service level needs
. . . that are in those homes. (D.E. 303 at 87). Richter explained, there is too much going on
at foster group homes given the number of caregivers and their training. (D.E. 326 at 16-17). As
a result, there are often medication errors, appointments missed, forgot the court hearing. Id.
Virgil described FGHs as Hectic. Her first FGH contained eight children with an age
range of 5 to 16. Whenever Virgil asked her caregiver for help, she was told to go take a nap.
(D.E. 324 at 202). Because of insufficient staff, all the children were forced to travel together
anytime the caregiver ran an errand. The problem, however, is that the caregivers minivan only
seated six. Virgil, the smallest, sat on the floor without a seatbelt. Id. at 203. Virgil testified
that once when a foster child slit her wrists late on a school night, all the children had to spend
the night in the hospital while the girl received treatment. Id. at 202. Sharp told the Court:
I dont think there were any good foster group homes. I dont think you can give
children the time and attention they need [in a foster group home], particularly
children who have experienced some type of trauma, which all children in foster
care have. Whenever you have ten-plus kids in a home and you tend to . . . only
their very basic needs and you put them all in one room and you segregate them
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from everyone else, thats not a way to treat young people and that certainly isnt
a way to help them address the problems that theyre dealing with.
(D.E. 325 at 174). According to Sharp, child-on-child physical and sexual abuse is a common
thing in the bigger homes, because caregivers cannot monitor all their children. Id. at 172.
Plaintiffs call foster group homes A Recipe for Disaster, and the Court agrees. (D.E.
345 at 61). It is obvious to the Court that harm would result from mixing unrelated male and
female children of vastly different ages and service levels in the same home without appropriate
supervision. Beyond the examples cited, the record is full of physical abuse, sexual abuse,
suicide attempts, and poor supervision at foster group homes. (See, e.g., PX 372; PX 377; PX
406; PX 457; PX 495; PX 502; PX 2041 at 31-36). As such, the Court finds that DFPSs
policies and procedures for operating foster group homes amount to a structural deficiency that
causes an unreasonable risk of harm to the FGH Subclass.
1. DFPS is Deliberately Indifferent Toward Foster Group Homes
DFPS is aware of its policies regarding foster group homes. Black admitted that FGHs
are group homes but DFPS treat[s] them just like foster family homes. (D.E. 300 at 61).
DFPS also knows that no other state in the country . . . has what is called a foster group home
between seven children and 12 children. Id. at 60-61. Although FGHs are supposed to contain
no more than 12 children, DFPS admitted that it does not have centralized data on how many
children, including adopted and biological, are in each FGH. (D.E. 315 at 6-7). DFPS is aware
that it mixes ages, genders, and service levels in FGHs. (Id; D.E. 300 at 62-63). The State
admitted that, because it also does not track child-on-child abuse, older children with sexual
abuse histories could be placed in the same FGH bedroom as younger children. (D.E. 300 at 67).
Further, DFPS knows that all the other group homes in the State . . . require 24/7 supervision,
but FGHs do not. Id. at 61-62.
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In addition to being aware of facts from which the inference could be drawn that a
substantial risk of serious harm exists, the State has drawn that inference. Black admitted that
she would not allow her own young children to sleep in the same room as older teens with the
caregiver asleep, as it is scary and inappropriate. Id. at 64-65. DFPS said in a 2013 Self-
Evaluation Report to the Sunset Commission that there are risks associated with having seven to
12 children in one home including risks associated with providing appropriate overall
supervision, ensuring individualized attention to each childs specific needs, and managing stress
when caring for large numbers of children in a foster group home. (PX 1864 at 235). Even
without these admissions, the Court finds that the risk of harm is obvious when you place
unrelated children of different ages, services levels, and genders in the same facility, without
nighttime supervision or a sufficient number of trained staff.
DFPS has presented no evidence that it tried to correct these known harms. There has
been no response to FGHs shortcomings, let alone a reasonable one. DFPS exhibited a
conscious disregard for known severe abuses, which by itself sufficiently demonstrates
deliberate indifference to a childs right to personal security. Hernandez, 380 F.3d at 881. As
such, the Court holds that DFPS is deliberately indifferent toward FGHs structural deficiencies,
which cause an unreasonable risk of harm to FGH children.
2. DFPS Substantially Departs from Professional Judgment Toward Foster Group

Homes
DFPSs actions defy the professional judgment standard. It is impossible to determine
which DFPS policies violate professional standards because there are no FGH professional
standards, period. That said, a review of professional standards for all foster facilities convince
the Court that DFPSs foster group home operation is a substantial departure from accepted
professional judgment, practice, or standards. Youngberg, 457 U.S. at 323.
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All professional standards reviewed by the Court advocate 24-hour awake-night
supervision in group homes. The CWLA recommends having staff scheduled, on site, available
and awake 24 hours per day when children are present. (PX 2 at 2-5). The CWLA also says
that, for group homes, there should be 24-hour access to medical services and psychiatric
services, meaning that the residential service provider can contact a person or facility and
obtain the needed service at any time, 24 hours per day. Id. at 10. COA standards require
continuous supervision by staff available on a 24-hour basis, and, Personnel must be awake at
all times unless convincing evidence demonstrates that a particular home does not need night-
time supervision. (PX 32 at 61). The COA also requires that a physician or other qualified
medical practitioner assumes 24-hour on-call medical responsibility. Id. at 37. Richter testified
that for foster group homes, the minimum support that should be given, in my opinion, is awake
night supervision, and on-call medical and psychiatric personnel are very, very important.
(D.E. 326 at 27, 29). In Richters opinion, on-call medical and mental health staff, as well as 24-
hour awake-night supervision are basic accepted things that you do. Id. at 31. DFPS itself
demands 24-hour awake-night supervision for all other group homes. Yet DFPS exempts
FGHs from a nighttime supervision requirement. DFPS also does not require FGHs to have on-
call medical and mental health support staff. Id. at 30-31.
It should be noted that DFPSs disregard of professional standards overburdens FGH
caregivers, which in turn harms FGH children. (Id. at 16, 24; see also D.E. 303 at 87). The
Court strongly agrees with the report and testimony of Richter, who explained, if you have 7 to
12 children in a home, you have to really attend to the caregivers, support them, give them the
kind of training and support they need, or bad things are going to happen. And when caregivers
arent taken care of, then the kids arent. (D.E. 326 at 13). DFPS offers no extra support for
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FGH caregivers. The only extra training DFPS provides is two hours for transportation training.
Further, for some unknown reason, DFPS allows an 8:1 child to staff ratio in FGHs as opposed
to the 3:1 ratio in foster family homes. FGHs stretch caregivers beyond their ability, and FGH
children do not receive adequate supervisionday or night. Id. at 13, 16. In short, Richter
believes that the foster group home model:
Has the risks of traditional group care (e.g., problems that come with mixing a
high number of unrelated children in one home/setting, including child-on-child
victimization, contagion of negative behaviors, police contacts), but none of the
perceived benefits . . . (e.g., educational and training requirements for caregivers,
strict adherence to and [sic] personnel resources to retain proper supervision ratios
and awake-night supervision); and Has the risks of typical family foster homes
where caregivers receive only basic state agency-mandated training to meet the
needs of children . . . but has only severely compromised benefits of living in a
family setting in the community, which promotes normalcy, as a result of the high
number of unrelated children living together.
(PX 2041 at 10). Richter concludes that foster group homes operated by [DFPS] deviate from
professional standards and, as currently structured, expose all children placed in those homes to
serious risk of substantial harm. Id. at 6, 22. The Court agrees. The Court has seen no decision
by DFPSprofessional or otherwiseto address the litany of problems with FGHs. Although
FGH professional standards do not exist, the Court finds that DFPS has violated a number of
relevant professional standards as laid out by professional organizations, Plaintiffs experts, and
DFPS itself. The Court holds that DFPSs policies and practices toward foster group homes are
such a substantial departure from accepted professional judgment, practice, or standards that
DFPS did not base its decision on any professional judgment at all.
V. REMEDY
Plaintiffs have proven, by a preponderance of the evidence, that DFPSs policies and
practices amount to structural deficiencies that cause an unreasonable risk of harm to all class
and subclass members. In order to obtain injunctive relief, Plaintiffs must also show: (1) that
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[they] suffered an irreparable injury; (2) that remedies available at law, such as monetary
damages, are inadequate to compensate for that injury; (3) that, considering the balance of
hardships between the plaintiff and defendant, a remedy in equity is warranted; and (4) that the
public interest would not be disserved by a permanent injunction. See, e.g., eBay Inc. v.
MercExchange, L.L.C., 547 U.S. 388, 391 (2006). The decision to grant or deny permanent
injunctive relief is an act of equitable discretion by the district court, reviewable on appeal for
abuse of discretion. Id. Equitable relief is limited by considerations of federalism, and
remedies that intrude unnecessarily on a states governance of its own affairs should be
avoided. Assn of Surrogates & Supreme Ct. Reporters Within City of N.Y. v. State of N.Y., 966
F.2d 75, 79 (2d Cir. 1992). Courts nevertheless must not shrink from their obligation to enforce
the constitutional rights of all persons . . . simply because a remedy would involve intrusion into
the realm of [government] administration. Brown v. Plata, 131 S.Ct. 1910, 1928 (2011)
(citation omitted). The Court finds that injunctive relief is appropriate in this case.
Plaintiffs may satisfy the first two factors by proving that they are likely to be deprived
of their constitutional rights in the future by the acts they seek to have enjoined. Floyd v. City
of N.Y., 959 F. Supp. 2d 668, 672 (S.D.N.Y. 2013); see also Springtree Apartments, ALPIC v.
Livingston Par. Council, 207 F. Supp. 2d 507, 515 (M.D. La. 2001) (It has been repeatedly
recognized by the federal courts that violation of constitutional rights constitutes irreparable
injury as a matter of law.) (citing Elrod v. Burns, 427 U.S. 347, 373-74 (1976) (plurality
opinion) (The loss of First Amendment freedoms, for even minimal periods of time,
unquestionably constitutes irreparable injury.)). Texas has violated Plaintiffs Fourteenth
Amendment right to be free from an unreasonable risk of harm. Remedies besides injunctive
reliefwhich Plaintiffs have not requestedcould not compensate for the repeated exposure to
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physical abuse, sexual abuse, and psychological abuse. Until Texass structural deficiencies are
cured, Plaintiffs will be harmed.
The balance of hardships also tilts strongly in favor of granting injunctive relief. The
burden on the Plaintiffs from continued unconstitutional harm far outweighs any administrative
hardship Texas will face in correcting its foster care system. The Court is sensitive to the States
interests in controlling its core functions amidst administrative constraints. Having chosen to
operate a foster care system, however, Texas is obligated to comply with the dictates of the
Fourteenth Amendment. It is worth noting that funding is not a problem for DFPS. The Texas
Legislature has been responsive to DFPSs needs. According to Specia, when the State had
money, [DFPS] got substantial amounts of money. When the State didnt have money, [DFPS]
had fewer cuts than other people did. (D.E. 300 at 26; see also D.E. 331 at 32-37). Burstain
also testified that the legislature has been very supportive and aligned with CPS, allocating
significant resources to support CPSs requests. (D.E. 330 at 176). Budgetary constraints, which
do not absolve constitutional violations, nonetheless do not exist here.
Lastly, the public interest would not be disserved by injunctive relief. To the contrary, as
the system currently stands, foster children often age out of care more damaged than when they
entered. (PX 1964 at 2) (there is increasing evidence to show that our foster care system is
sometimes doing more harm to our children than good). Years of abuse, neglect, and shuttling
between inappropriate placements across the State has created a population that cannot
contribute to society, and proves a continued strain on the government through welfare,
incarceration, or otherwise. Although some foster children are able to overcome these obstacles,
they should not have to. The public interest will not be harmed by an injunction requiring Texas
244
to conform its foster care system to the Constitution. With all four factors met, the Court holds
that injunctive relief is appropriate in this case.
[T]he scope of a district courts equitable powers to remedy past wrongs is broad, for
breadth and flexibility are inherent in equitable remedies. Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Bd.
of Ed., 402 U.S. 1, 15 (1971). That said, judicial powers may be exercised only on the basis of
a constitutional violation . . . . As with any equity case, the nature of the violation determines the
scope of the remedy. Id. at 16. In fashioning a remedy, the Court notes the decades of reports
aimed at fixing DFPS, and the corresponding lack of meaningful attempts at improvement.
A. Injunction
The State shall establish and implement policies and procedures to ensure that Texass
PMC foster children are free from an unreasonable risk of harm. To effect this injunction, the
Court will appoint a Special Master to help the State implement the Goals outlined below.
Further, the State shall immediately stop placing PMC foster children in unsafe placements,
which include foster group homes that lack 24-hour awake-night supervision. Foster group
homes that immediately require 24-hour awake-night supervision may continue to operate while
the Special Master and the State craft and enforce the Implementation Plan.
B. Appointment of a Special Master
Because of the complexity and breadth of reforms that are required to bring DFPS in
compliance with the Constitution, it would be impractical for the Court to craft and oversee each
necessary change. As a more effective and flexible alternative, the Court will appoint an
independent Special Master to help craft the reforms and oversee their implementation. See
Floyd, 959 F. Supp. 2d at 676. The State will fund the Special Master, though the Court believes
that by facilitating early and unbiased detection of non-compliance and barriers to compliance,
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the Special Master will ultimately save the State time and resources. The Special Master will
operate in close coordination with this Court, which retains jurisdiction to issue orders as
necessary to remedy the constitutional violations described in this Opinion.
To select a Special Master:
(1) Within 30 days of this Opinion, the Court will hold a hearing to select a Special Master.
At the hearing, the parties will present the Court with an agreed-on Special Master who is
an expert in a field relevant to foster care systems, along with that persons curriculum
vitae (CV). The agreed-on Special Master must attend this hearing. If the parties
cannot agree on a Special Master, each party will present the court with two candidates
and their CVs. The Court will choose one Special Master out of the four options. The
four candidates must attend this hearing if the parties cannot agree on a Special Master.
The functions of the Special Master:
(1) Within 180 days of selecting a Special Master, the Court will hold another hearing where
the Special Master will present the Court with an Implementation Plan to reform Texass
foster care system. In crafting the Implementation Plan, the Special Master shall have
access to all relevant information, records, personnel, and reports, and shall have the
authority to require reports that would be helpful. The Special Master shall assure that
the Plaintiffs and Defendants have a full opportunity to consult and be involved with the
development of the Implementation Plan, though the Special Master must ultimately be
guided by the Goals listed below, which are aimed at addressing the States constitutional
violations. The Special Master shall be mindful that Texas does not need to provide a
perfect foster care system; just one that no longer violates the Constitution. The
provisions in the proposed Implementation Plan will be viewed as recommendations.
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The Court will hear the parties objections to the proposed Implementation Plan at this
hearing, and decide which, if any, provisions to accept. If the Court finds any parts
lacking or any constitutional violation unaddressed, the Court will ask the Special Master
to present additional provisions at a later date.
(2) The Implementation Plan shall include:
(a) Implementation Dates. The Plan shall contain final implementation dates by
which each provision will be fully implemented. The plan shall also include
interim dates, prior to the final implementation date, by which each provision
shall be partially implemented, and shall specify the degree of implementation
required by each of the interim implementation dates for each provision.
Provisions should be implemented at the earliest time practicable. Any need to
prioritize implementation will be motivated by which provisions best address the
States constitutional violations.
(b) Implementation Steps, Processes, and Tasks. The Plan shall specify the steps and
tasks necessary to achieve full implementation and to meet the interim and final
implementation dates. The Plan shall designate timelines by which the steps and
tasks are to be accomplished and shall designate appropriate staffing levels and
personnel to assure timely implementation of the Plan. The Plan shall also
identify who shall be responsible for the steps and tasks, including outside
contractors. This portion of the Implementation Plan shall be updated every six
months, and the updates shall list tasks accomplished and additional steps and
tasks that may have been identified as additionally necessary to achieve full
implementation. The updates shall include timelines for interim and full
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implementation, as well as the designation of personnel for these additional steps
and tasks.
(3) Upon accepting the Implementation Plan, the Court will enter a Final Order incorporating
the provisions of the Implementation Plan that is binding on the parties. The Final Order
shall be enforceable by the Court.
(4) After the Court enters the Final Order, the Special Master shall issue a report every 180
days concerning the status and progress made by the Defendants toward compliance with
the Final Order. The Special Masters reports shall be provided to the parties and the
Court.
(5) The Special Master and the parties shall not disclose any individually identifiable
information concerning children, their parents, or their foster or adoptive parents. All
reports concerning compliance with the Implementation Plan, the status of children, and
compliance with the Final Order that do not contain individually identifiable information
shall be public information.
(6) The Special Master shall be responsible solely to the Court, but shall work actively with
the parties to assure the effective and prompt implementation of the Courts Final Order.
(7) The Special Master shall serve until the Court determines, upon Defendants application,
that the Special Master is no longer necessary.
C. Goals
In General:
(1) When DFPS staff visit or call a foster child, the caregiver must allow the staff member
and the child to speak privately, unless the staff member agrees that it would be unsafe.
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If the meeting was not conducted in private, the staff must explain why in the childs case
files.
(2) DFPS paperwork and electronic filing system, including IMPACT, CLASS, and the
External files, must become more efficient. Each child should have a readily accessible
and organized case file, comprised of all records pertaining to that child. The Court was
routinely frustrated at the disorganization, duplication, and inconsistency in the foster
childrens case files. Caseworkers should be able to spend more than 26% of their time
with foster children.
(3) DFPS shall include an updated portrait photograph of each child in their respective case
files. The Special Master will recommend how frequently the photograph must be
updated. Each photograph shall include the date it was taken, and be organized and
easily retrievable in the case files.54
(4) DFPS shall establish, staff, and maintain a 24-hour hotline for receiving and responding
to reports of abuse and neglect. The hotlines phone number must be readily available
and displayed prominently in all foster care residential facilities. Foster children must be
allowed telephone access to reach out to this 24-hour system, free from observation.
(5) DFPS shall improve its programs and outreach for children who will age out of foster
care so that more children take advantage of these programs.
54
The frequency of runaways while in DFPS care necessitates the availability of a recent photograph. Although
DFPS policy already requires an annual photograph, (See PX 52 at 91), the fact that no one at DFPS knew what
M.D. looked like is troubling. See supra pp. 68-69. Obviously, the age of the child will dictate the frequency with
which the photograph is updated. For example, an annual photograph for an infant might not be helpful.
249
(6) All PMC children shall be entitled to an attorney ad litem and a CASA volunteer, as well
as any other representative appointed to TMC children that the Special Master determines
is necessary for PMC childrens safety and well-being.
(7) The Special Master shall recommend any provision beyond the Courts Goals that are
deemed necessary to cure the States constitutional violations outlined in this Opinion.
CVS Caseworkers:
(1) DFPS must track primary CVS caseworker caseloads on a child-only basis. The Special
Master shall recommend whether tracking should be categorized separately for full-time
and part-time primary CVS caseworkers, and how tracking should be categorized on a
region and county-level. The State cannot include in the calculations secondary workers,
workers in training, or fictive workers created out of overtime. The State is welcome to
continue tracking caseloads by stages, but not in lieu of child-only tracking.
(2) DFPS must complete a Workload Study to determine the time required for caseworkers
to adequately perform their tasks. DFPS will specify how long it takes to complete each
task. The Special Master shall recommend how frequently DFPS must complete
additional workload studies.
(3) The Special Master shall recommend the point at which caseloads are manageable for
full-time and part-time CVS caseworkers, taking into account times of crises. What is
manageable is to be understood as the level at which caseworkers are able to perform
their basic functions and not compelled to quit at an unreasonable rate. In other words, a
manageable caseload is the level at which children are free from an unreasonable risk of
harm.
250
(4) DFPS must hire and maintain enough primary CVS caseworkers to ensure that caseloads
are manageable in each county in the State.
(5) DFPS must significantly lower its primary CVS caseworker turnover rate.
(6) The Special Master shall evaluate and recommend whether secondary CPU and I See
You workers should be maintained. If so, the Special Master shall recommend
provisions to make them more effective at protecting foster children from an
unreasonable risk of harm.
(7) The Special Master shall recommend other provisions deemed necessary to ensure that
primary CVS caseworkers are able to protect foster children from an unreasonable risk of
harm.
CCL Investigations, Inspections, and Licensing:
(1) DFPS must complete a Workload Study to determine the time required for investigators
and inspectors to adequately perform their tasks. DFPS will specify how long it takes to
complete each task. The Special Master shall recommend how frequently DFPS must
complete additional workload studies.
(2) The Special Master shall recommend the point at which caseloads are manageable for
investigators and inspectors. What is manageable is to be understood as the level at
which investigators and inspectors are able to perform their basic functions. In other
words, a manageable caseload is the level at which children are free from an
unreasonable risk of harm.
(3) PMU must conduct case readings to assess RCCL investigations in a manner and at a
frequency deemed appropriate by the Special Master. The Special Master will
251
recommend the appropriate method to correct dispositions and order corrective actions
when PMU identifies deficiencies.
(4) The Special Master shall recommend provisions to solve RCCLs unwillingness to
institute corrective actions against violating facilities.
(5) DFPS shall track child-on-child abuse, and categorize it as such. The Special Master
shall recommend the most appropriate fashion to track child-on-child abuse bearing in
mind that the information should be easy to retrieve and should be used to inform all
placements and treatments. The Special Master shall also recommend how to categorize
the initiators of child-on-child abuse, sensitive to the consequences of labeling children as
perpetrators. The Special Master shall also recommend if child-on-child abuse should
simultaneously be categorized as neglectful supervision by the caregiver.
RCCL protects foster children from an unreasonable risk of harm.
Inadequate Placement Array:
(1) DFPS shall not allow unrelated children that are more than one service level apart (e.g.,
Moderate and Intense-level children) to be placed in the same room in any residential
facility. The Special Master shall recommend if it is appropriate to allow unrelated
children that are only one service level apart (e.g., Basic and Moderate-level children) to
be placed in the same room in any residential facility.
(2) The Special Master shall recommend what age ranges of unrelated children are
appropriate to be placed in the same room in any residential facility. The Court
understands that larger age gaps may be more appropriate for younger children (e.g. a
252
five-year-old and a ten-year-old in the same room) than for older children (e.g. a ten-
year-old and a 15-year old in the same room).
(3) DFPS shall track how many placements in its array are designated as single-child homes
(including biological and adopted children), and track how many foster children need
single-child homes. DFPS shall explain its criteria for determining which children need
single-child homes. DFPS shall ensure that all children who need single-child homes are
placed in such homes, unless it is in the childs best interest to remain with siblings or be
supervised at a congregate care facility. If a child who needs a single-child home is not
placed in such a home, the childs primary CVS caseworker must explain why in the
childs case files.
(4) DFPS shall conduct a formal statewide needs assessment to determine an adequate
placement array, including by number, geographic distribution, and placement type.
DFPS must procure a placement array that substantially matches this assessment, and
place children appropriately. The Special Master shall recommend how frequently DFPS
must complete additional statewide needs assessments. DFPS shall take whatever steps
are necessary to ensure that it has available to it at all times an adequate placement array,
including by number, geographic distribution, and placement type, and that foster
children are placed promptly in an appropriate facility.
(5) DFPS shall track how many children are in each residential facility, including biological
and adopted children, as well as each facilitys licensed capacity. DFPS shall make this
information easy to retrieve.
253
(6) DFPS can continue to pursue Foster Care Redesign, but only if the Special Master
recommends, and the Court agrees, that Redesign meets the statewide needs assessment.
The Special Master can evaluate Foster Care Redesign.
(7) The Special Master shall recommend provisions to solve the problem of children being
removed from placements where they are succeeding because their level of care has
altered. The Special Master shall also recommend provisions to solve the perverse
incentive of DFPS providing additional funds to caregivers for children at increased
levels of care.
DFPSs placement array no longer causes an unreasonable risk of harm to foster children.
Foster Group Homes:
(1) The Special Master shall recommend if FGHs should continue to operate based on
whether FHGs can be improved to the extent that they will not cause an unreasonable risk
of harm to foster children.
(2) If the Special Master determines that FGHs should continue to operate, the Special
Master shall recommend necessary provisions, including awake-night supervision,
additional staff training, and more appropriate staff-to-child ratios.
VI. CONCLUSION
Texass foster care system is broken, and it has been that way for decades. It is broken
for all stakeholders, including DFPS employees who are tasked with impossible workloads.
Most importantly, though, it is broken for Texass PMC children, who almost uniformly leave
State custody more damaged than when they entered.
254
The Court believes that Specia and his staff have the best intentions to run an effective
foster care system. The Court is also mindful that Specia is the seventh commissioner since
2004, each of whom was surely ushered in with promises that this time it will be different. The
reality is that DFPS has ignored 20 years ' of reports, outlining problems and recommending
solutions. DFPS has also ignored professional standards. All the while, Texas ' s PMC children
have been shuttled throughout a system where rape, abuse, psychotropic medication , and
instability are the norm. The Court has no assurance that anything has changed. Of the two
reforms to which DFPS pointed- CPS Transformation and Foster Care Redesign-one was
instituted in the wake of this lawsuit, the other is an abject failure , and neither answers any of
Plaintiffs ' claims.
Plaintiffs have a Fourteenth Amendment substantive due process right to be free from an
unreasonable risk of harm caused by the State. Texas currently violates that right.
SIGNED and ORDERED this 17th day of December, 2015.
United States District Judge
255
VII. GLOSSARY
CCL Child Care Licensing. A division of DFPS.

COA Council on Accreditation for Services to Children and Families. A nonprofit child
advocacy organization that recommends professional standards for state child welfare systems.
CPA Child Placement Agency. A private agency contracted by DFPS to place foster children
in homes.
CPS Child Protective Services. A division of DFPS.
CPU Centralized Placement Unit. A secondary caseworker who does not interact with
children.
CVS Conservatorship, i.e., foster care.
CWLA Child Welfare League of America. The nations oldest and largest child welfare
organization, which recommends professional standards for state child welfare systems.
DFPS Department of Family Protective Services. A Defendant, and the Texas State agency
responsible for protecting the States children, elderly, and disabled.
FGH Foster Group Home. A childcare facility that provides care for 7 to 12 children for 24
hours a day.
GRO General Residential Operation. A child-care facility that provides care for more than 12
children for 24 hours a day. GROs include RTCs, halfway houses, emergency shelters, and
therapeutic camps, and may be a single building or a campus with multiple cottages.
IMPACT Information Management for the Protection of Adults and Children in Texas. An
automated system, included in case files, in which DFPS staff record casework related activities.
LFC Licensed Foster Care. Refers to foster care operations that receive licensing and
oversight from DFPS. LFCs include independent foster family homes, independent foster group
homes, GROs, RTCs, maternity homes, child-placing agencies, CPA foster family homes, and
CPA foster group homes.
PMC Permanent Managing Conservatorship. A type of legal custody granted by the courts to
DFPS. The legal status for children typically progresses to PMC from TMC, 12-18 months after
the child enters foster care.
PMU Performance Management Unit. A division of CCL that performs internal quality
control.
RCCL Residential Child Care Licensing. A division of CCL that regulates, licenses, and
investigates residential foster care operations.
R/O Ruled Out. An investigation disposition, meaning that a preponderance of evidence
indicates that abuse, neglect or exploitation did not occur.
RTB Reason to Believe. An investigation disposition, meaning that a preponderance of
evidence indicates that abuse, neglect, or exploitation occurred.
RTC Residential Treatment Center. A type of GRO for children with more serious physical
and mental health needs.
TMC Temporary Managing Conservatorship, a type of legal custody granted by the courts to
DFPS. A child may remain in the States TMC for 12 months, although a court can order a 6
month extension.
UTD Unable to Determine. An investigation disposition, meaning that a determination could
not be made because of an inability to gather enough facts. The investigator concludes that there
is not a preponderance of evidence that abuse or neglect occurred; but it is not reasonable to
conclude that abuse or neglect did not occur.
256
ATTACHMENT 1
(PX 811)
DFPS Hierarchy
257
258
ATTACHMENT 2
(PX 806)
Map of Regions
259
260

2015 Federal Judge Jack's Ruling On Texas Foster Care

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Case 2:11-cv-00084 Document 368 Filed in TXSD on 12/17/15 Page 1 of 260

United States District Court

M.D.; bnf STUKENBERG, et al.,

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND VERDICT OF THE COURT

A. Procedural History ........................................................................................................ 4

II. FINDINGS OF FACT AND LAW ......................................................................................... 5

A. Overview of Texas Foster Care .................................................................................... 5

B. Plaintiffs Claims ........................................................................................................ 11

C. Constitutional Rights .................................................................................................. 14

D. Evidence Summary ..................................................................................................... 22

2. National Standards ...................................................................................................... 25

3. Child and Family Service Reviews ............................................................................. 27

a. Fact Witnesses ............................................................................................................ 28

b. Expert Witnesses ......................................................................................................... 39

5. Named Plaintiffs ......................................................................................................... 56

f. H.V., J.V, and P.O. ................................................................................................... 105

g. Z.H. ........................................................................................................................... 128

h. K.E. ........................................................................................................................... 132

i. L.H. and C.H. ............................................................................................................ 141

J. J.R., M.R., and S.R. ................................................................................................... 150

k. S.S. ............................................................................................................................ 152

L. A.R. ........................................................................................................................... 154

III. PRELIMINARY ISSUES ................................................................................................... 155

IV. DISCUSSION ..................................................................................................................... 160

A. General Class ............................................................................................................ 160

1. DFPS is Deliberately Indifferent Toward Caseload Levels ...................................... 186

2. DFPS Substantially Departs from Professional Judgment

B. Licensed Foster Care Subclass.................................................................................. 199

1. Insufficient Oversight ............................................................................................... 200

a. DFPS is Deliberately Indifferent Toward RCCL Operations ................................... 212

b. DFPS Substantially Departs from Professional Judgment

2. The State Maintains an Inadequate Placement Array ............................................... 217

a. DFPS is Deliberately Indifferent Toward its Placement Array ................................ 227

b. DFPS Substantially Departs from Professional Judgment

C. Foster Group Home Subclass.................................................................................... 234

1. DFPS is Deliberately Indifferent Toward Foster Group Homes .............................. 239

2. DFPS Substantially Departs from Professional Judgment

V. REMEDY ............................................................................................................................ 242

VI. CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................... 254

VII. GLOSSARY ....................................................................................................................... 256

Plaintiffs are minor children in the Permanent Management Conservatorship (PMC) of

Commission;2 and Anne Heiligenstein, Commissioner of DFPS (collectively Defendants), in

23 had been met. (D.E. 49).

d. Basic Care General Residential Operation Subclass: all members of the

II. FINDINGS OF FACT AND LAW

preponderance of the evidence.

A. Overview of Texas Foster Care

care, but the answer is permanency. (D.E. 331 at 48).

final order similar to reunification, adoption, or aging out. (DX 31 at 80).

foster care until they age[] out. (D.E. 323 at 89-92).

www.casaforchildren.org/site/c.mtJSJ7MPIsE/b.5301303/k.6FB1/About_Us__CASA_for_Children.htm (last visited

December 11, 2015).

responsible for inspecting, investigating, and licensing. (DX 31 at 163-64).

(last visited November 3, 2015).

group homes, GROs, and RTCs are progressively more restrictive.

provided for foster parents.

On behalf of the General Class:

their required duties, protecting the children in the States custody.

(2) Caseworkers excessive caseloads increase caseworker turnover, further worsening

caseloads and initiating a vicious cycle.

harm while in the States care.

harm to all General Class members.

On behalf of the Licensed Foster Care Subclass: